How Beautiful

Auntie Kay

2007-04-27T08:22:00.000-06:00

I have found the most addicting thing in the world. His name is Hudson James Notti... my one and only nephew.

My heart has a soft spot for little boys- always has and always will. Now that one belongs to me, I'm over the moon. I'm also way behind. I've got lots of Spiderman, Superman and Batman to catch up on! The world of superheroes can't be a mystery if I want to be the coolest auntie on the planet.

Good thing I still have a gorgeous niece to pull me back into the realms of all things feminine... otherwise I might find myself neglecting my closet full of heels. *shudder*

Happy Easter

2007-04-09T11:32:00.000-06:00

I'm preaching at Chi Alpha tonight about Disappointment with God. In a conversation over my text of choice, my friend and I discussed if it's okay to be disappointed in the Almighty...

I don't know that I'm one to give people permission, but I definitely believe we all have potential to suffer from this discomfort. May I even venture to say that it is a healthy "wrestling match" (that's for you Scott) that is vital to our testimony.

If our Testimony is designed to be wielded as a weapon that helps others overcome (Revelation 12:11), wouldn't it reason that it gains strength from confessions of being dumbfounded by the ways of God, only to find He wasn't letting you down but rather lifting you up. So often we are surprised by Him meeting our needs in ways we could never have orchestrated, and in those moments I'm convinced we taste the sweetness of His resurrection.

And as the disciples discovered, the resurrection was the ultimate answer to their utter disappointment.

Resume Rhetoric

2007-04-02T07:41:00.000-06:00

It's a sad moment to realize your limitations. Some things in life will never make it on my resume. Sobering is the thought that I shall never make it as:

A Soldier... I could NEVER survive the Army.

A Voting Poll Booth Attendant... they can't laugh.

An Air Traffic Wand Waver... lighted sticks!!!??? I could NEVER control myself.

A Jewish Rabbi... Yamakas aren't very flattering.

A Tour Guide... my "good sense of direction" has gotten me in trouble as of late.

A Hermit... I really like people. And friends. (This is a picture of Private Laura LeGris and Megan Sherer (on the phone))

Patience is a virtue

2007-03-27T09:28:00.000-06:00

I hate being left behind. But alas, it was required as the Mexico Missions team departed on Saturday. I could not participate this year. It was very hard to say good bye... knowing I would not be able to say hello- to some orphans that are very near and dear to my heart.

I can't wait to adopt some of my own... perhaps not out of this clan (although I know of one little boy I would gladly smuggle across the border) but one day to have children of my own is a dream so close to my heart I literally don't want to wait. I'd do it tomorrow. Well, not tomorrow. Tomorrow is Wednesday. It seems like an awkward day to adopt someone... but soon!

A Bloody Bummer

2007-03-22T08:26:00.000-06:00

Should I be concerned that my recent course of speech has been peppered with British curse words? This sudden affinity for 'bloody' and 'bugger' can mean only two things:
1) I am a sinner
2) I have the itch... to travel that is.

Luckily my longings will be satiated soon. A week from yesterday I will be in Missouri for three days to visit my best friend as she graduates from basic training. The most delightful part of my visit will be the breaking of lent... where I will finally be able to consume peanut m&ms after 40 days of famish-ment. Perhaps my attraction to rubbish speech is due to abstaining from chocolate for almost six weeks! Profanity can only be a natural side-effect from a lack of the essential nutrients chocolate provides to the female system (or psyche). Am I right girls?

My advice to all of you who find yourself struggling with the same bloody problem as I, there is only one suggestion I can leave for you: stuff your trousers choc full of your favorite sweets and get the heck out of dodge for a day or two.

WonderWomanWeekend

2006-10-26T11:13:00.000-06:00

"Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her. There I will give her back her vineyards and will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. There she will sing as in the days of her youth, as in the day she came up out of Egypt." Hosea 2:14,15

I published my soul on the web

2006-10-18T15:08:00.000-06:00

I did it. I officially started a Flickr account. So hopefully you can enjoy some of the pics I've taken over the months. More will be coming, I promise.

I need to thank Lance and Jess for their encouragement (and patience) in asking me to do this. Any accolades belong to you (wink).

flickr.com/photos/krystykay

This just in...

2006-10-10T15:26:00.000-06:00

What's happening in the world of Krysty Kay?

My grandma was miraculously healed and is now at home doing well!

I'm leaving for the desert in T-43 hours.

I'm on a man-hunt for a Harley-riding-Jesus-loving-Man-Of-God. (See above)

The Rolling Stones helped pay for my ticket to the desert. Indirectly. Very indirectly.

I officially walked around the office for an hour with my fly undone.

I joined a book club.

I've been pre-meditating on a Halloween costume that will be hilarious and fun... also, seeking something to carve on my pumpkin... I have to outdo the Harley I carved last year.

That's about it for now. I'll keep you updated on how the desert treated me. Have I ever told you I have a new phobia? Scorpions.

Pauline Ball

2006-09-26T09:34:00.000-06:00

My grandma is in the hospital. It's been a super rough week... and continues to be... hard.

I don't want this to be a sap story. Just a request for prayer. And an ode to one of the incredible women in my life who made me into what I am today.

I love you Grammy.

Farewell good friend!

2006-09-01T14:51:00.000-06:00

I had to scrape my windshield this morning. This can only mean one thing... I'm getting older. In high school I would simply turn defrost on full blast and the moment a dime's size of clarity would appear, I'd blazenly peel out of my driveway. No more. Now I actually keep an ice scraper in my vehicle... one with an extendable handle at that.

There's also another thing scraping my windshield alerts me of... summer is over. Up in a puff of smoke (literally in Missoula's case) So as I careen towards a season of chaotic activity, I bid it all adieu.

Reflecting on these last three months, I realize I've said good bye to a lot of things: my aspirations of getting to the gym, my pasty white skin, my beautiful youth students, hot tea, my best friend Ruthie, the original glass on my vehicle, my teaching job, my JusChill'n work shirts, my parent's house...

In the process of letting it all go, I've actually gotten to say lots of hellos as well: hello Chi Alpha, hello girls who I missed so much, hello hobo spiders, hello close proximity to campus, hello 40 hours a week, hello brisk morning air, hello awkward reference to a Japanese feline.

It's all a circle I guess, one says hello, another says goodbye... good think Jesus likes the former!

Holy matrimony

2006-08-18T08:10:00.000-06:00

Holy matrimony! It's out of control here!

I've been working as my church's receptionist all summer and things have gotten ridiculous. There are like A THOUSAND PEOPLE GETTING MARRIED! In these last three months alone I've been to more ceremonies and bridal showers than a lifetime should allow. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for them and think they are all fantastic together, but seriously SPREAD THE LOVE... and by that I mean they should spread out these events over a year or so, not 'I want in on your wedded bliss'.

But marriage is a beautiful thing, and I'd like to say congratulations to:

Riley & Lindsey Ramsey, Jacqueline & Ryan King, Chet & Brianna Owings, Dylan & Brandi Powell, Jaceline & i'm a horrible friend and can't remember his name, Ellen & Steven, Elizabeth & doh!, Jenny & i'm really terrible, Dawna & Paul, Lacey & Ben Rase, Sarah & Mike Lawley, Jenna & Jerret Lockheart, Audrey & Chris... and literally the list could go on.

Now let's all cross our fingers and pray these people don't pop out children around the same time, or else all of those baby showers are gunna break my bank! But seriously, ALL THE BEST!

Pellet Gun Pleasure

2006-08-01T14:43:00.000-06:00

I have been a victim of a number of things in my life: expired Dental Floss, luke warm Mountain Dew, creepy looks from city buskers. None, however has topped my recent experience.

This weekend while I was away at a wedding, my 1995 Dodge Intrepid got vandalized. My driver's window, back seat window and entire rear window was shot out. Completely smashed. Glass EVERYWHERE.

The truly upsetting thing is, what proved to be like 5 seconds of fun for the vandals, took two and a half hours for my parents and I to clean up. Each second that I tediously picked out every piece of glass I thought of how I was going to pay for it. There's no way. I don't have comprehensive insurance, and since it was on the street, our homeowners insurance won't look twice at our situation.

So, now the way I see it: at least my glass is half full (ugh I shouldn't say 'glass' in this instance) but... 1) it happened when it's nice enough for me to ride my bike everywhere) nothing was stolen from my car (CD player etc.) ... 3) it's given me an excellent opportunity to practice forgiveness (grrrr...) 4)at least I wasn't in the vehicle or something equally as morbid. So, in some ways my PLASTIC sippy-cup runneth over.

Bittersweet Sitterbeet

2006-08-01T14:08:00.000-06:00

I never thought I would be sad to see the last day of school... but alas after teaching ten 3 year olds this year I found it extraordinarily painful to say good bye to the little terrors that made my life so wonderfully exhausting. It was heart wrenching to know I'd go three whole months without their antics and unabashed excitement to see me every morning. The only silver lining was the opportunity to teach Preschool yet again this 2006-2007 year... that is until things changed.

Thursday night I knew the board of directors was meeting to decide what to do without an administrator for the preschool... Friday morning I was informally told they were cancelling the 2yr. old program and the Kindergarten. This was fine with me, but I was a little concerned how the returning teachers would react, but I assumed some shuffling could be done and that they would still have a job at least. Two hours later my Pastor sat me down and told me the entire Preschool was being cancelled for the year.

Never has it been so hard to hold back tears. It was as if my very excitement for the future was sucked out of my being. Like I didn't have as much motivation to wake up in the morning. I was heartbroken. I was devistated. I was sad. I was crying (and trying to answer phones and fold bulletins and keep my mascara from making me look like my eyelashes were melting.)

BUT GOD HAS SUCH A WAY OF REDEEMING THINGS... little did I know but Delyn Cole had been planning a Missions trip to India and Nepal to work with women who had been rescued from the sex trade... it's a missions trip that only female Chi Alpha workers can take and it happens in May... had I been teaching preschool, there's no way I would have been able to attend this missions trip that I AM SO PASSIONATE ABOUT! Basically when Delyn was presenting it to all the District Chi Alpha people I began to cry (and then noisily shot up my hand to indicate I was VERY interested... I'm sure you're all familiar with the Krysty Kay manner in which this was done)

So in a nutshell: I'm going. ISN'T GOD SO FAITHFUL? ...I'm thinking so... although it's still a scoach bittersweet that I won't have ten gorgeous goobery faces to embrace as my 'kinders' next year... yet somehow I think it's going to be okay.

Delicious-o

2006-07-05T21:34:00.000-06:00

I found a truly magical place. It is the Crerar's cabin at Finley's Point near Polson Montana.

I had intended to spend sixteen hours there Monday night with my friend Jillie and then head home to celebrate independence day with my family and sell some fireworks at the Chi Alpha stand. Rather tragically, however, my car broke down some five miles away from my intended destination... and then something entirely strange happened: I didn't care. Never mind I was some 60 miles away from home, I really couldn't be bothered by the potentially stressful situation. Instead I felt the magical allure of the largest fresh body of water in the greater 48 and my heart was tugged to the flip-flop fiesta and ultimate relaxation haven that is Finley's point.

It's here that hours truly do not exist. I was physically unable to keep track of time simply because of what I believe is an invisible shield of wonderfulness surrounding the place. We spent an eternity in the water, drinking in the sun and laughing at ourselves... and all the while my car was being pronounced dead, destined for the grave.

So 'tragically' I had to spend the 4th of July there and I have to say I had a horrifically wonderful time. Some of the highlights included:

GOLFING: although I didn't participate in the game, I discovered my new favorite thing to do is walk on the green barefoot (although I think this is horribly against etiquette and could have landed us all kicked out of the course...but it felt so wonderful!)

BOATING: whilst my vehicle was being towed away to an unknown local, I was zipping around the Flathead starting to believe the next mode of transportation I will invest in will be a boat. (sure it won't come in handy in the winter, nor will it allow me to get around town very easily...but they are SO MUCH FUN!)

FIREWORKS: there is simply nothing that compares to sitting around a fire, facing the lake and watching fireworks explode from all directions around you. The reflections off the water makes it seems like the earth and sky are one and although it sounds cheesy, it's truly the most magical thing you will ever witness.

So there you have it, today I sit back at work quite relaxed and considerably tanner... all the while thankful that I at least have a bike to get me from A to B.

Happy Anniversary

2006-06-16T12:06:00.000-06:00

Oops... five days ago was my official one year anniversary of being a blogger. That's a pretty happy thing to be celebrating. Too bad I didn't remember, it would have been an awesome excuse to buy myself a cake. Please tell me other people do that too... find excuses to consume dessert, it's gotta be some sort of cumpulsive behavior Dr. Phill has a book on. I swear I must keep that man in business with all of my crazy shinanagans... but hey, someones gotta do it.

Tafe-ites Reunite!

2006-06-11T21:23:00.000-06:00

Sometimes I forget that I literally have the most beautiful friends in the entire universe. I had the honor last weekend to go to my friends wedding in Idaho... and as a little side bonus I had a Tafe reunion. Now the Tafe was the 'dorm/hell hole' I lived in my first year of college and although it was a pretty filthy/ferrell place to lay my head, I had the joy of sharing the experience with nine other fabulous females. Now we are spread all over the world, but four of us conviened on Lewiston to catch up with each other and basically laugh till we wet ourselves. It was beautiful.

Girls I love you so dearly, you are a blessing I simply don't deserve! I miss you all so much and I can't wait till our next reunion. This time it's Montana because in other news I've upgraded from weeds... now I've got treeeeeeeeees!

Oh Canada!

2006-05-30T22:16:00.000-06:00

I left the country this weekend. I had the honor of being a youth leader on a five-day round trip to Canada... and yes, I use the word 'honor' because these guys flippin ROCK! It's been a while since I had such uncanny amounts of fun. These kids seriously made me laugh like nobody's buisness and reminded me what it's like to feel like you can change the world.

We attended a conference in Edmonton and went to like twenty concerts and suddenly I'm a fan of all these punk little Christian bands like Stellar Kart, Thousand Foot Krutch and an artist known as Chris Tomlin (I was already a fan, but now I'm seriously in love). My favorite part was being crammed in a van choc-full of rowdy, sweaty, loud and obnoxious teenagers screaming and dancing and rocking the entire way back to the hotel after each night... then of course the wedgies, fart noises and freshman boys harrassing all the girls on the trip. It makes me so happy! I will be helping out with my youth group this entire summer, so I'm sure I'll have some other stories along the way... stay tuned.

Astaire way to Heaven

2006-05-22T23:15:00.000-06:00

I just fell in love with Fred Astaire. I mean seriously the man was a genius. He may be everything I've ever looked for in a guy. Wealthy, well dressed, musical, hilarious and all importantly a phenominal tap dancer... too bad he's like eighty years my senior and passed away when I was three.

I think when I adopt a baby boy (from a nation south of the border) I will name him Diego. But then maybe his middle name will be Fred... Oh, scratch that. Freds are the guys you meet with handlebar mustaches in Flying J truck stops. I'd name him Astaire... Diego Astaire.
Maybe I'd call him Tairey for short.
Or As...oh, scratch that too. No child of mine will have profanity for a nickname.

Anyway, perhaps I will choose NOT to be one of those moms who was obsessed with a deceased movie star when they name their children so that my son won't bear the scars of trying to live up to the glamorous legend that was 'Astaire'. But it's fun to think about and it's fun to be in love...

Sexy Jessi

2006-05-14T22:22:00.000-06:00

My friends are leaving for Slovakia tomorrow for a missions trip. I'm loosing my friend Jess to the nation for the entire summer. I'm going to miss her very much. In order to send her off properly I wanted to devote an entire 'blog' in her honor. So I looked up an old journal entry I had concerning her: here it goes...

"My friend, Jess is beautiful. I have never met anyone as quirky, cute, inspirational, sensitive, loving and thoughtful as this girl. I love her to death. She is always there for me, quick to listen, full of concern. I've never seen her be selfish or self righteous. I adore her completely. Even at times when she is desperately controversial. She has an opinion on everything and a very valid reason for liking/disliking/being freaked out by each possible topic of interest. It basically has changed my outlook on life and the humor that lies within. Tonight I had dinner with Jess and for the first time in two weeks I felt encouraged. I needed a friend like Jess tonight and I think that she may be a treasure and a gem that my life has lacked for sometime now. I don't know what I'd do without her. She's great. Anyway, this evening she talked about going on bike rides in the summer just to get herself lost. She'd ride around trailer parks just to feel like she was in Russia again. She just loved to ride until she got these 'feelings' and then she could go home. I was intrigued. The only time I have ever done that is never. I want to be the person who just goes and does whatever until it feels funny. Until it makes me feel new and refreshed. I don't take such vacations very often. Perhaps now I shall..."

Jess, have an amazing time in Slovakia. I hope you have the most amazing time EVER. But please know you'll be missed severely. You are loved!

Saddle up.

2006-05-03T21:41:00.000-06:00

I think I've retorted once already how much I enjoy this hippy community called Missoula, but last week gave me another reason to celebrate it's unique culture. For the sixtieth time this year it was walk/bike/bus week. For those of you out-of-towners, this is where the entire city promotes alternative means of transportation and severely condones the use of any other vehicle besides the bio-bus that consumes old McDonald's fry-juice for fuel. Ordinarily I can't keep track of the frequency by which our city holds these events so I simply drive my car year round, regardless of the icy stares of pedestrians strewn about this activist town.

Last week however, I participated. I'd love to say it was because I saw the value a car-fast would have on the quality of the o-zone layer, but I unfortunately have to report it was simply because I couldn't afford gas. The ridiculous price of fuel forced me to pedal along with the thousands of unshaven bikers in a not-so-deliberate-participation-of-the-walk-bike-bus-run-slackrope-pogo stick-tie yourself to the back of a sea turtle (thanks Jamie Kelly) week.

The only thing that I discovered over the process was that bicycles are terribly dangerous. I think I was almost wiped out by two SUVs, one BIO-BUS, four Hondas and a rather portly professor on a Schwin. Perhaps the next time Missoula throws an alternative mode of transportation fiesta, they should teach non-participants how to drive. Or they should provide me with another kind of bike... a Harley-Davidson. Now that's the kind of activist week I could REALLY get into...

I'll title this one 'untitled'

2006-04-19T21:42:00.000-06:00

I'm sorry. It's been AGES I know. Here's a very brief update of all that's gone on in my world: Organized a city-wide purity retreat for high-school aged girls, visited Oregon with the Megans, went on a 40 day fast from spending money (don't laugh... I really did!), went on a 40 day fast from eating sweets (I'm not gonna lie, I broke that one a few times), got bit by a pre-schooler, spoke at a girl's retreat in Idaho, backspacked in Utah for six days, went unshowered whilst backpacking in Utah for six days, rode off on the back of a strange man's Harley Davidson in Utah (best moment of my life thus far), played bass for my church's Easter play, portrayed a whore on Easter Sunday, became addicted to 'Miami Ink' and broke my spending fast by purchasing the brand new HILLSONG UNTITED CD (Holy Spirit chills...)

Okay, now for the meat of my dissertation. You know how everyone has those little expressions they use when they are amazed or frustrated or angry or happy or awkward? Like, for instance the cult standards "Darn it" or "Cool"... come on, I know you all have your own variation of habitual projectile interjections. My expressions seem come in waves that I pick up randomly and stick annoyingly until the next new phrase takes over my life... but one faithful outburst has seemed to last through the test of time: "Richard!"

This 'Tommy Boy' based exclamation pretty much litters my speech daily and peppers my dialogue whether I'm bemused or banging my head against the wall. It's never seemed to give me any grief except for one unexpected encounter at Denny's. It was over my plate of seasoned fries that I loudly repeated my beloved phrase until I realized the waiter was looking at me funny... yeah... that's right, his name was Richard and when he answered affirmatively to my name calling, I freaked out. It brought me so much joy... and awkward embarrassment.

The best part of it is, Richard just got saved at our Easter play last weekend and is planning to hang out with us at Denny's after Chi Alpha each Monday. Do you realize what this means? Now I can really say I have a friend named Richard! Although this thought might be SLIGHTLY awkward because I still incessantly say his name throughout the day... it probably depends on how you look at it.

V-this

2006-02-16T22:40:00.000-07:00

Forgive me oh blogging community... it has been one and a half months since my last confession... er... entry. I've really no proper excuse for my lack of journaling. After all, I did just get finished celebrating another amazing holiday where chocolate is dispensed for the masses and pink is adorned by all (including little naked babies with wings... which, might I add...possesses a disturbing piece of weaponry for one so small) My only complaint for this celebration of a patroned saint (ravaged by Hallmark and its corporate agendas): singleness. Perhaps I'm just a bit bitter that a certain Mr. Starbuck's didn't turn out to be so deliciously wonderful after all. It all went sour when he broke the news that the corporation would no longer be carrying my Chantico (please cross yourself now)... and when he fell for one of his employees. What's a girl to do? There are just too many amazing women out there to compete with and it gets increasingly difficult to stick it to the Man when one is loosing strength because of a lack of delicious sinful drinking chocolate. I have no other solution but to look forward to St. Patrick's day in hopes that corporate America will crumble to it's knees under the influence of another sort of beverage... until then consider boycotting machiatos.

Funk Soul City

2006-01-07T17:08:00.000-07:00

Finally, my last verdict on the city is "Joint with some serious Soul". My final evening in the sprawling metropolis was spent at the 'House of Blues'. You guys, this may rank as one of the funnest nights of my life...

Zach made use of his extensive phone list to find friends to join us for the evening, and as it turned out all these fun amazing girls out came to enjoy our company(or vice versa) and (yes, Zach ended up being the only male, but you know he loved it!)

So there we are IN the 'House of Blues', waiting for the live band to start, whilst I'm making a fool of myself infront of the waiter and ordering a horrifically potent beverage (Long Island Ice Tea). So I'm thirsty right, and I down the thing... which leaves me feeling SO GOOD... but then I get the food I ordered that included an OPEN FLAME... luckily there were five other people there to make sure no menus where around (only people from my senior prom will get that one). The fire, however did make for a quick light to my dessert... a STOGIE! So there I am feeling good, smoking a cigar and then the music starts. Maker of all things good, holy and AMAZING BLACK MEN PLAYING THE BLUES! The music was INCREDIBLE... and by this point my blessed inhabitions are gone, so I just went up there with Zach and we started dancing right in front of the band... and they were like looking at you... playing to you... wheeling their axes like the dirty little funk brothers they were... and long story short, I bought a CD, sweated off three pounds and hugged the bass player. It ROCKED (quite literally).

The end. I flew home today, exhausted and completely unready to start work again on Monday... but thank God I now have twelve delicious tracks of soul-goodness to get me through the day!

Move over Chantico

2006-01-07T16:46:00.000-07:00

My own self proclaimed nickname of Chicago is "City with the Best drinks EVER". I seriously consumed some of the best beverages while I was here... so buckle up as I elaborate on my encounters.

First of all, this joint had Chocolate stores. Like a ton of them. Chocolate cafes, chocolate shops, I even saw a chocolate lounge... so suprisingly these little jewels had the power to sway me from my ultimate calling (shoe shopping)... don't worry, I'm okay with it. So basically Zach and I stopped often and it was at one small little treasure cove along the stip that I enjoyed a hot chocolate with a shot of peppermint that CHANGED MY LIFE. It gave me much needed warmth to continue along our fridgid sight seeing, and provided a euphoric lift to my peckish tummy. Not since my love affair with Chantico have I exerienced such giddy delight over steamed fluid in a flimsy paper cup.

My next delicious interlude occured at "Cheeseburger in Paradise". That's right... we visited Jimmy Buffet's restaraunt! Praise God for Zach's AWESOME mom who adores the songwriting genius, cause after she found out I was a fan of the 'Margaritaville Meistro' she immediately made plans for us to eat at this fine dining establishment. IT WAS SWEEEEET! Pictured above was my alcohol of choice and it was iterally the most delicious thing I've ever consumed... and quite possibly the prettiest. The night was imacuate. I enjoyed way too much food and then a lovely kereoke rendition of "Sweet Caroline" by Zachary that made me laugh and ultimately cry all the way home. It was beautiful.

Chica- GO

2006-01-07T16:30:00.000-07:00

Alas, my travels are drawing to a close. I am sitting in the Seattle International Airport with a six hour layover, so I reckon it would be sweet if I recounted my visit to Chicago. I shall make three installments... so consider this numer eins: MACH SCHNELL BITTE!

Don't ask me why I just used German. I didn't meet a single Deutsch-er-erin while I was there.

Moving on... my first impression of the giant metropolis is that it was cloudy and cold. Hell is going to be grey. I think cloudy-grey-no-sunshine days are far worse than eternal blackness. If Satan wants to torture souls, he uses clouds... at least in my book, and I'm pretty sure that the weather I experienced in the "windy city" was a insight into what I'll miss out on in hell.

Eternal damnation = perpetual ominous cumulonimbus.

Anyway, Chicago was cold. And grey, but I have to say, walking around the city after dark was AWESOME. Downtown is truly beautiful and really makes you feel sofisticated. Watch out Sarah Jessica... there is a new (chaste) girl in (a totally different) town... Okay, horrible reference. Segment One is complete.

Der...

2006-01-01T14:57:00.000-07:00

My first entry of 2006. I should really be profound, but I'm afraid I don't have much time. Currently I am in Kentucky, attending a Missions conference, and being thouroughly confused as to what God is doing in my life. Every time a different missionary gets up to share, I'm convineced I am called there to hold dying babies, or rescue prostituted women... so basically the conference has left me with one big headache and very red eyes. But it's been amazingly fun hanging out with the six othere people that are here. I love my friends.

Plus it was especially enjoyable to ring in the new year with a CHOCOLATE FONDUE fountain and four thousand other students singing praises and dancing the conga... Anyway, happy 2006 to ya'll. I love you!

Merry Me!

2005-12-22T18:12:00.000-07:00

I LOVE CHRISTMAS!

And yes, I would marry it if the Montana State Department of Death and Marriages allowed it.

And yes, I'm just being facicious... what kind of marriage would that be if I saw my 'husband' only once a year, and watched people buy all of his things for half price the next day. No, it wouldn't work out. Unfortunately.

But I know the next question on everyone's mind is where the heck have I been. It's been like a year since my last entry, and simply ages since I had anything interesting to say. But alas, this girl has been busy teaching preschoolers the intricate motions to "Angels we have heard on High", making presents for my grandmas, and again flirting dutifully with the manager of Starbucks. I think somewhere in there I made a life changing trip to the delicious patisserie shop "Chocolat" and watched my favoretist book (now movie) of all time "Chronicles of Narnia" (allow me to digress... as much as I loved the movie, I hate that it's trendy right now. It's like 'dude, I read it and loved it first... the rest of you are just posers'... but then I feel justified because my friend Megan said I took the cake for 'most tears cried at a premier' and that made me feel a bit better. a bit.)

So besides racking up the largest credit card bill for a place that only sells truffles, that's all I've been up to. I've definately not been online until now... I just discovered yet another friend is getting hitched this summer, so I probably should make a habit of at least checking my hotmail, but alas, it is Christmas... and I'd rather be courting that right now than dialing up aol. You know?

And before I forget to tell you all.... MERRY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! I hope your holidays are the happiest ever and that your 2006 is richly richly blessed! Love you all!

Scandalicious

2005-12-02T23:00:00.000-07:00

One whole year. An entire rotation of the sun. 365 days.

I've been back in America for exactly a year today, and it is wierd to think about. Twelve short months ago I left the best friends in the world, a hell of a bloody habit (profanity) and a large spider population. I left to return to the good ole USofA and a bunch of amazing, beautiful experiences. (such as:)

Ordering a REFILLABLE glass of iced root beer.
Working for exactly four hours at Victoria Secret.
Blending fruit and juice for hours on end.
Falling in love with a Hispanic orphan.
Consuming large amounts of candy for EVERY holiday. (Columbus day is no exception).
Being teased relentlessly for my impractical foot apparel.
Awkward stares every time I laugh (wait, that happened in Oz too)
Having ten little munchkins follow me around like ducklings.
Building a pirate ship.
Chantico.
S'mores.
Daughter's Retreat! (!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Being able to work with the best ministry alive.
Being on staff with Jess. (okay, Scott's pretty cool as well ;)
Watching the MOST amazing, beautiful, anointed, gorgeous, divine women in the world chase after God in the process...

Danke

2005-11-29T22:10:00.000-07:00

Upon perusal of the blogging community there seems to be somewhat of a proverbial sleep settled upon the faithful few of us that write about life, love and other maladies. In my own world I have sadly suffered from a lack of motivation to dial up to AOL and hear that tragic greeting "You've got (more junk) mail". At this point I extend my apologies and move on to other things... such as Thanksgiving. How was everyone's turkey day?

Mine was uneventful. I began the week with some major flirting with a man who manages a Starbucks here in town. My hope was to get all the free Chantico I could consume. Next I slept in. This may be the first time since I was unemployed for three weeks last January. I actually rolled out of bed at 10:30! That is seriously a record for me. After that I proceeded to do absolutely no cooking, but rather nibble on Jet Puff marshmallows until my family arrived to eat the feast all the females threw before us. Twenty minutes later we were awkwardly looking at each other wondering what to discuss and who was going to take the last bit of dressing. Thankfully (no pun intended) my sister had a brainchild and we headed off to see RENT. Very enjoyable. I think.

The next day I had the privilege to be back at the mall (at 6am no less) to open up the smoothie stand and serve crazed customers who have the audacity to flock to an event dubbed DOOR BUSTERS at an UNGODLY HOUR! America cracks me up. But I love it. I am thankful to be home!

Tonight.

2005-11-15T22:14:00.000-07:00

Sorry that this is a bit sobering, but my best friend's mom lost her battle with cancer tonight. Your prayers for the Crerar family would be invaluable. I love you all...

Poetry

2005-11-12T22:17:00.000-07:00

I had the most poetic day. It started with my grandma, mom, sister and niece. A girl's day out where we bought Christmas ornaments and drank apple cider. Simply divine. Then around noon I got a call from one of my best friends from high school. Her mom has been battling cancer and the doctor told her family that chemo is no longer working. They called Hospice and sent her home to leave the world in 'comfort'. All I can say is we are too young to be loosing our parents. So I am left with one of my favorite quotes.

"The heart of God loves a persevering worshipper who, though overwhelmed by many troubles, is overwhelmed even more by the BEAUTY of God" -Matt Redman

Chicken, Shaniah, breath mints and high heels

2005-11-09T22:56:00.000-07:00

I find such complete satisfaction in random moments...

In moments when my sister and I decide that if ever they invent a rubber chicken 'chunkin' contest, we will enter with our very own hand-crafted-air-compressed-puff-the-magic-chicken-chunkin-dragon.

In moments when the only appropriate way to warm up after parking garage worship is to sing Shaniah Twain songs in Denny's.

In moments when the first snow of winter actually makes me lament owning heels. (now that came from left field!)

The moment where one of my students told me I had bad breath, and where another told me my cheeks looked like marshmallows.

In moments where us girls exchange spider stories and then take shots of gummie bears.

Ahhhh, the randomness. Life wouldn't be as beautiful (or as humorous) without it all.

...mmm...

2005-11-02T19:50:00.000-07:00

I can think of no better holiday than one where you can dress up as a racially eccentric statue of liberty and consume an absurd amount of chocolate. The concept of it all is entirely delicious and too fun for words. What I really enjoyed about the entire endeavor was that I got to spend the evening with some of the most legendary people of the silver-screen, all of whom never got tired of the hilarious reference to the fact we were hanging out with the 'holy ghost'.

I hope the rest of you out there enjoyed this scrumptious holiday. God bless the distributing of candy... and let freedom ring!

PS: All of you who remember how disturbed I was that my niece was obsessed with Captain Hook will be glad to know she did a stunningly perfect rendition of him especially for the holiday.

Day Dream Believer

2005-10-30T14:23:00.000-07:00

I'm not one to remember my dreams after a fit-ful night's rest, but what is it about some dreams that are simply too bazaar to forget? Burned into my mind's eye are ones involving a baby elephant, Rocky as an albino, my friends turning the size of thumbelina and me asking the world to "say 'ello to my litt'l friends", attempting to steal P Diddy's van, being forced to wear overalls and a giant easter bunny jumping out of a box. Yes, some are terrifying and perhaps that is why they will forever be branded on my brain, but honestly what happens up there to create such random fantasy? It has me slightly disturbed and more than a little bemused.

Melanie had a freaky-deeky-dutch of a dream a few weeks ago, and it was so random and intense that God actually used it to speak into her life prophetically. Let's hope my dream I had about getting stuck on one of those fifty cent child merry-go-rounds outside of Walmart doesn't have a deeper meaning...

New position

2005-10-21T15:46:00.000-06:00

Lance informed me last night that I am the (unofficial) 'official' blogger of the Chi Alpha blog. Y'all should check it out!

Chi Alpha. It rocks. yeah. okay. i'm done.

Awe-tumn

2005-10-20T14:32:00.000-06:00

1st Kings 19... "The Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire, and after the fire a still small voice, and it was then Elijah heard it and knew it was the Lord."

God has been a still small voice to me lately. So sweet, so affectionate. I literally have just had glimpses of Him throughout the weeks that are little pieces of His grace to get me through the day. It could be just this time of year, because Missoula is my favorite when the leaves turn color... and I really haven't seen an autumn for two years now... but I'm convinced it goes beyond that. God has just been so present as of late.

I've seen Him in the butterfly I startled whilst heading out my backdoor the other day. I've felt Him when I laughed into the wee hours of the morning whilst playing in the leaves with my friends. I've bumped into Him whilst watching deer pass through a field under a harvest moon. He's been in sunsets and children and on Campus and in silence. He's been amazing, and my prayer is that all of you sense the God-whisper as well. It will revolutionize the way you look at the world.

Oh boy...

2005-10-18T20:33:00.000-06:00

Yesterday a boy in my class told me I was magical. I'm pretty sure that is the first time a boy has ever referred to me as such and although I was touched, I wondered if it was just because I could open his juice box...

On other boy-related topics, The Director told me a few weeks ago that I was hard to read. What exactly does that mean? I asked my good friend Peter if it was true and he said (emphatically) that I was IMPOSSIBLE to read! Just what sort of woman am I if I can't communicate properly with the opposite sex? An awkward one.

After taking a poll of almost all the people in my world, I have received varying responses to my supposed dilemma. Some yes, some no. But I think the reason I am having such a hard time digesting this new analysis of my persona is because I've always thought I was a simple person. Fairly low maintenance for a girl who likes being a girl. Sure I have a thing about smelling bad, but if you know I hate spiders, purring and people who litter... you should have me figured out.

Right?

Turning Turtle

2005-10-06T17:58:00.000-06:00

I have a confession to make. After getting in a car accident on Sunday, I have become a snail. Yup. I'm the girl you hate to get stuck behind when you are driving anywhere because I literally go 10 miles under the speed limit and make complete stops at uncontrolled intersections. I know you basically want to shoot me by now... but give me a break. I'm gunshy.

And I honestly don't know why I'm comparing myself to reptiles this evening, but I feel like a fish out of water. Tonight I am usually on campus for Chi Alpha's corporate worship, but today I'm staying home to rest. I don't know what Thursday nights look like without XA. It's a twighlight zone I haven't visited since I returned from Sydney... and I'm not quite sure what to do with myself...

Delicious Weekend

2005-09-27T21:19:00.000-06:00

I have perhaps just experienced one of the sweetest weekends of my adulthood. It included a ridiculously small amount of sleep, a trip to the continental divide, some s'mores minus the graham cracker, and one of the most beautiful encounters I've had with the Holy Spirit in a long time. This weekend was Chi Alpha's fall retreat (you should read more about it at chialphamontana.blogspot.com ) Cause this weekend was amazing.

Alright, I'm just gonna be vulnerable right now... hope you don't mind. I have spent this entire month going hard... very hard. I have been about my Father's business, have poured myself into ministry and the work of Chi Alpha. I wouldn't live my life any other way. Except this weekend I came up dry. I had been living/functioning/ministering out of a spiritual resivoir I had neglected to keep refreshed and this weekend I felt as if I had nothing else to give. Whilst being about my Father's business... I forgot to be all about my Father. Even now I cry (big surprise) at how much I miss Him. So perhaps I will sign off and get alone with my Maker... but I will leave you with a 'prom' picture of Megan and I, a picture of Peter in an 'awkward' situation and a thank you to all the beautiful people in my world who made me laugh this weekend. Without you (and Zach's playlist of comedy) I wouldn't have burned off that brownie I had for breakfast!

I've gone digital!

2005-09-15T15:36:00.000-06:00

Congratulations faithful friends who read my blog! You are currently expreiencing the first products of my low-end-dirt-cheap digital camera. Magical isn't it? What you are witnessing is a few of the kids that I teach. They were just too willing of subjects... what's a girl to do?

Did I mention that 80% of my class is blonde? Like REALLY blonde? It's so cute! I'm sure that I'll have plenty of adorable stories to share throughout the next nine months of having them in my world... but here are a few that have made me laugh out loud thus far:

When talking about the letter B, I asked what words began with B... we discussed bear, bike, balloon and when we got to bird, a little boy conveniently commentated that "birds poop in my backyard".

During playtime yesterday a little girl wanted to give me a hug. After she did she took my face in her hands and pointed at an itty bitty 'blemish' on my chin and asked "Who did that to you?" Stunned I replyed "the boogy man" and she wittingly responded "What boogy-man?" Chuckling a this point I said "The one who unjustly allows grown women to get zits even though they are past puberty." You have to love their innocence.

Sudden Death

2005-09-13T16:33:00.000-06:00

Somewhere between pretending to be astronauts and learning to "make new friends, but keep the old" I caught one of my 'munchkin's' colds. I had been warned by the other teachers that I would probably be sick a lot this school year, but with all the 'Airborne', vitamin C, orange juice and green tea I was pounding (not to mention the pint of Lysol I've used already) I thought for sure I was going to be golden for the entire flu season. Oh how horribly naive I was. Because, my friends, I've contracted some sort of illness that has put me near death, or at has at least left me feeling like the Grimm Reaper's got my number.

Would any of you agree that being sick is the worst thing in the world? It never happens at a convenient time (I've been SO busy these last three days it's probably only helped to compound my body's production of the virus...) It makes you feel shunned (the worst part, in my opinion, is not being able to get my quota of human contact for the day. Since physical touch is one of my love languages, I end up extrodinarily sad when I see people backing up five feet instead of leaning in to give me a hug...) It makes you forget what it feels like to be well (perhaps the most deplorable thing about the situation is it's damper on my optimistic outlook leaving me only with a certainty that I will be coughing and sniffling until Jesus returns...)

So, delicious people of the earth... remember eat your oranges and keep a family-size bottle of Day-quil on hand 'just in case'.

PS: The picture above has absolutely nothing to do with my illness, it's just a great shot of Rael and I riding an oversized piece of art (as you do).

Ponde Replay

2005-09-06T20:42:00.000-06:00

Last night the sunset was glorious. The only problem was it didn't have any sound. Do you ever feel like that? Like you need to have music for certain times in your day. A soundtrack so-to-speak... My two good friends from High School and I decided this a long time ago. We had it all planned out... that we would have coordinating songs by which we could have dance parties throughout our day together. Well now we are spread throughout the world, so our playlists may not be the same anymore, but if I really could have a ghetto-blaster magically coordinating tunes with my day, I would have to say the following would be my anthem:
"Beautiful Day" by U2... would you really want to wake up to anyone besides Bono?
...that song by Stevie Knicks "Sings a song, sounds like she's singin' Who-baby-whooo-whooo" (don't know the official name, but pretty sure I sound something like that in the shower)
"Isn't she lovely"... when I'm trying to be presentable for the day.
"Secret agent man"... during my covert operation of applying deodorant... and trying not to get any on my clothing.
"Blues Brother's theme"... when I'm trying to get out the door in a hurry (just decided that tonight, I'm pretty sure I'm in love with John Belushi)
"Killing me softly"... whilst working at the smoothie stand OR
"Let's call the whole thing off"... whilst teaching preschool (simply because half the time I can't tell what they are talking about, but I love them anyway)
"Girl's just wanna have fun"... whilst having a cream soda with my chakitas (and or laughing hysterically over any ridiculous thing we decide to do).
"Quando, Quando, Quando"... anytime I tell someone adios.
"Don't go changing"... when I drive through Missoula.
"Shiny Happy People holding Hands"... when I feel like flipping someone off in traffic.
"Crazy in love" by Beyonce... a simple dance party before dinner never hurt anyone.
"Bolero" by Ravel... during dinner (classical music is supposed to help you digest)
"OOOOHHH Sweet Child of Mine"... for nothing other than eating some chocolate (what suits dessert better than Gun's and Roses!)
"3x5" by John Mayer... anytime I take a picture
"Celebration"... when I'm feeling black (Kool and the Gang could basically rock my world anytime)
"Rains down in Africa"... when I am feeling black and want to hear some great synth
"Do you come from the land down under"... when I'm sentimental for Sydney, and have a hankering for Men at Work
"Dance" by Jamericqui... I definately have to have a dance party everynight... as if I would choose something else to shake my groove thang to...
"Love Song for a Savior"... my favorite song ever, and I've gotta have some Jars in there somewhere.
"Livin on a Prayer"... possily my second favorite song ever and simply a great motto to lie by.

And that's the meat of it all... I'm pretty sure I'd use some really classic 80s stuff for fillers... or the Napoleon Dynomite soundtrack. :)

Catch-up

2005-08-31T19:02:00.000-06:00

I have been unfaithful, nay, adulterous with devoting time to other things besides blogging recently. I apologize and promise to make it up, for there is much to be said.

First: I started teaching today. I am exhausted this evening. It went well and I have a beautiful class, it just took more out of me than I was prepared to give. Including the 20 minutes it took after school to disinfect all the plastic toys they inserted into their mouth. I had prepared for ABCs, 123s, music, movement and the pledge of allegiance, but forgot to factor poddy breaks, nose blowing and anxiety over parent separation. Needless to say we didn't get through the sign language curriculum I had planned.

Secondly, it was my best friend's birthday Sunday. Happy Birthday beautiful one! I cannot express how grateful I am that you are in my world! I love you dearly!

Third, my life is much brighter since my last entry. Chi Alpha resumes tomorrow and the beautiful people who abandoned me this summer have once again returned to make me laugh and remember that life is a bowl of cherries... sometimes it's just the pits. But I feel so fulfilled when I am working with Chi Alpha. There is something about the demographic of college students that challenges, encourages, motivates and inspires. Most of the time I feel like they are ministering more to me than I to them. And I know deep in my heart that this semester/year is going to be amazing (ugh, I need to expand my adjective vocabulary because I feel that is an insufficient statement.)

Last, but not least, I was just royally blessed by a visit from my Washitonian friend Amy. On a spur of the moment road trip she came to see me for a few days and I honestly hadn't laughed so hard in a long time. She came to Montana in hopes of horseback riding and river rafting and instead got a budget-savvy ride on a carousel and a look into Missoula's not-so-kareoke-friendly night life. But let it be said, I did take her to see Shakespeare, even though it was nothing I planned and we didn't even stay for the whole thing (I believe we partially tamed the shrew). Honestly, Amy has been desperately faithful to me in the hard times... and I pray that I can be half the blessing to her now as she was to me then. (You're in my prayers sister. I love you!)

Okay, now I must go. I literally may sleep for a week... or just find some really great crack before my next onslaught of pre-schoolers. (I was joking. Say no to drugs.)

Rain on my parade

2005-08-26T00:18:00.000-06:00

I understand that Montana is in a drought, but does the earth really require precipitation when I'm trying to visit my favorite national park instead of when I'm drearily working in the mall? Doesn't the world and it's willy-nilly weather patterns revolve around me? (please excuse my pathetic attempt at a breed of humor I can't pull off well: sarcasm)

Yesterday my family and I traveled all the way to Glacier National Park only to see absolutely nothing, have a picnic in the rain and tromp around in snow at the peaks visitor's center only to be warned to get off the mountain before they closed the west entrance. It broke my heart. And alas, summer is finally drawing to a close, and suddenly I'm shocked at the loss of all that is tan, hammocked and lazy. Looking back I can honestly say it was a difficult season,however... one of drought spiritually, grief relationally and crazy emotionally. Yet, for all it's worth, I would do it all again (totally took me ten minutes to write that statement)

So here is to autumn and all that comes with it. Let it rain.

Me Amigo

2005-08-22T23:53:00.000-06:00

This week I have set out to become the worlds top teacher. I've decorated my classroom, picked out games, learned a few chords on the guitar and made name tags for my ten little three-year-olds. On one of my walls I put up a Precious Moments border (or something equivilantly cheesy) and a poster of Mexico. I decided that my class is going to have an 'adopted' student. My very own beloved Diego. I cannot believe it has been almost six months since Diego first entered my life. Who knew that one little missions trip to a Mexican orphanage could put such a strong desire in me to break the law. I mean seriously, if it wasn't horribly illegal and completely inappropriate, I would go all ninja-like across the border and steal Diego for my very own. Too bad all we had in common was zurburts. I could laugh with him for hours until he would start his prolific little chatter in spanish... and then I was lost. The way he would talk to the air, though made me convinced he is going to be a preacher. Or a telemarketer. Either way, all I know is that I miss him. Dearly. Who would have guessed? I leave the country and fall in love. At least I can look at his picture every day I teach and maybe, just maybe, get the go-ahead from God to covertly kidnap him and keep him in my closet until hoarding illegal alien (children) becomes smiled upon by the government...

No place like home

2005-08-17T22:58:00.000-06:00

Today I went to "Out to Lunch" with a few friends and sat on the grassy knoll of downtown Missoula chuckling at how much I love the organic-liberal-hippy-community I call my home. As I ate my very first eMpenada I enjoyed entertainment by the 'Blue Onion' and a special dance number by the 'fly-fishing dancer' and his wife (today he was crossing himself enthusiastically and tossing pizzas (?)) and couldn't help but feel warm inside.

Where else could you get a food service job whilst sporting dread-locks? Where else could you be solicited by an Indian man with bracelets to 'Buy something'? Where else can you find three ginormous red Xs in a city center? Where else keeps their art galleries open late the first Friday of every month, serving wine in Dixie cups? Where else is real estate so ridiculous and the average income so miniscule (Missoula is a beautiful place to starve to death!)? Where else do you have homeless people who use the word "fantasmagorical"? Where else has only two seasons: Winter and Road Construction? Where else has such a copious amount of Beauty? Where else can you find a hand written note that says "Attention Blonde Girl in red coat that walks across Higgins Bridge between 8.25am and 8.30am. The guy in the small white van that always waves at you thinks you are absolutely Breath-taking-ly BEAUTIFUL." (Pictured here but you can't really read it... sorry)? Missoula is one of a kind. There is no place like home..

PS...

2005-08-15T23:38:00.000-06:00

Happy Birthday Madison! I hope you have a good one and want you to know I think you are a rockstar! I love spending time with you and I think your brain is gold. I love you girl! Have a good one!

Hooks and Heroes

2005-08-15T23:06:00.000-06:00

Oh to be three again and find the simplest pleasure out of a nasty villain with a horrifying metal object for an appendage. My niece has fallen madly in love with Captain Hook and somehow her mother fails to be concerned over her daughters choice of Disney characters to be smitten with.

Madison (my niece) sees Captain Hook in the clouds, plays Captain Hook with her dad (he is Tinkerbell) and wants to be Captain Hook for Halloween (she's already asked her Grandma to buy her a boat to complete her ensemble) Is it just me or is it slightly odd for a female pre-schooler to be so adoring of a bad guy? Then I remind myself that she's three and at that age, everyone is trustworthy. Why Captain Hook is nothing but a tall man with an awesome hat. She has yet to be jaded by the realization that he is really a horrible adversary of all that is young and fun and beautiful.

And maybe when the day comes that she discovers her hero is not exactly contributing to society the way she would like, she will find other heroes to take their place: Like WonderWoman or Shera or Snap, Crackle and Pop. All are doing great things for the world and all are original Halloween options. But alas, for now, 'Auntie Kay' will be stuck playing the role of 'A Lost Boy'

That stage

2005-08-13T14:18:00.000-06:00

You know that stage in your life when all your friends are getting married? I've just hit it.

Please do not get me wrong. I am so exceptionally excited for them. It's just 'different' having girlfriends that are either hitched or hooking up. Meanwhile, I will sit here, blog-it-up and sip green tea from my "Jingle, Jingle, Glad I'm Single" mug. Very chic.

Pictured here are my good friends Jenna (left) and Janelle (right). Jenna just got married to an Australian comedian. Janelle, who is Australian, is getting married in a few days to a Californian. Praise God! That means she will probably end up living in the States at some point. She is my favorite.

It's no surprise that she was snatched up so quickly. She is the sweetest, most divine, amazing woman of God to walk the planet. Seriously. I am astounded at her ability to bring sunshine to all she encounters. This woman knows how to love humanity and I never cease to learn from her. She's beautiful in every way and I know she is going to be the most breathtaking bride imaginable. I'M SO SAD I'M MISSING IT! But her husband John and her will change the world (they want to youth pastor) and I cannot help but pray that somehow, someday we will do ministry together. I love you Janelle! Congratulations!

Once again...

2005-08-08T15:01:00.000-06:00

...how exceedingly Beautiful! This picture may very well embody all the reasons I like being a girl. Skirts, shoes (pointy heels preferably) and a string of pearls... what more could a female want? Maybe an endless supply of peanut m&ms, free manacures and back massages, a place to have a cream soda with girlfriends where you can laugh as loud as you want and not get nasty looks from other patrons, a hammock that won't flip over, a full ride scholarship to the Rocky Mountain School of Photography, a job with benefits, chocolate toothpaste, a Harley Davidson (I'll take one with a man on it), a Nalgene bottle that doesn't spill down the front of my shirt and maybe some more m&ms. Delicious females of the world, raise your hand (or post a comment) if you're with me!

Boo Boo?

2005-08-04T12:26:00.000-06:00

I got homesick today. Well, that's awkward to say because Missoula is my home... but I really miss Australia for some reason. I know the cause of my discontentment: the newest Hillsong album. It was just released and not only is it amazing ( and newly released , but it depicts everything I'm missing down there... truly my home away from home. (Which I love, consider a surrogate home but don't know if I would ever make it my 'home' again because I like my home here (whoa)) Anyway, what made me the saddest and most sentimental is that my best friend Ruthie was pictured on the album, my friend Heather was mentioned as a stage manager and my friend Amy played percussion for the recording... so their pretty much famous by now!

I've never had a friend like Ruthie. Her and I fit together like chocolate and truffles. (She's the chocolate...cause she's black... but I love you anyway Boo Boo) We lived together both of the years that I was in Sydney, and even though we slept in the same house, she'd always ask if we could have sleepovers. We'd go to Coles after school, get Vanilla Diet Coke (like liters of it) and head home to catch The Simpsons and 'Neighbors' (the dodgiest australian soap opera ever). We did everything with one another... like mundane stuff to the core... like ride the train and go to the post office and fart (wait, that was just me)
I love and miss Ruthie because she encourages me like nobody's business. She thinks I'm hilarious, even though she's really just gullible and would believe anything I say. She always believes in me and my dreams and is the first friend of mine that loves me regardless of my mood or flagilance. She is invaluable. I miss doing life with her because Ruthie could make pulling teeth enjoyable (and the way we were drinking Vanilla Diet Coke, we'll probably have to have ours pulled soon). This girl is beautiful and she's going to have influence on this earth for only good. Nations will never be the same because she walked the earth (and hopefully one of those nations is the US. Ruthie, get your bum over here, and bring your mum, you're my favorite chum (you probably are laughing so hard that I used that bloody word))

Anyway, I miss her. She's one of a kind and a little sister I never had (I wish we were related, but that will be solved when my firstborn child marries hers...) To my Aussie-Momma-Roz-favoring-Diet Vanilla Coke-drinking-ferrill-sink-gromies-hating-counter-sitting-ear-playing-model-searching-American-sounding-fart-hating-Gavin-DeGraw-loving-How to Loose A Guy In Ten Days-quoting-Big Brother-watching-God-forbid-I-get-my-feet-wet-after-Krysty-just-mopped-Tim-Tam-Slamming-chai-drinking-Indian-decenting-Princess I call my best friend... I love you!

Going Crazy

2005-08-04T08:46:00.000-06:00

Don't worry. I've gone crazy before and it served to create only humorous experiences and commical stories. So although I feel royaly insane right now, it's most likely just a jovial season of irrational thoughts and behavior.
I tried to quit my job today. I told the smoothie place that I was going to be teaching and doing Chi Alpha and maybe some other stuff so I wouldn't have a chance to work for them anymore etc. But then something aweful happened. My boss was like "don't leave us!" "one day, all I ask is to keep you on one day!" "what about the holidays, you'll need some cash!" "come on, stay! just one shift a week!". So since I have yet to learn the art of 'no' I was like 'yes'. I agreed to staying there! I was moritfied, cause after my boss left and I was once again working in the mall, all alone, under florescent lights and I realized that I am going crazy. Fruity-sherberty-vaccuum-of-conveiniently-located-shopping-mall place! I can't do it anymore. I've gotta quit at some point. Like really say "no, i'm hitting the road... i ain't gonna blend things together for my entire life. take your non-fat yogurt and your fresh squeezed juices and stick them where the sun don't shine." Honestly, no matter how crazy I get, I probubly won't EVER say that to someone.
Also, I am slightly insane because my friends are still away for the summer. I can't wait to be busy and active and hanging out with all my favorite people again doing silly shananagans. (like perming my hair with a do-it-yourself kit (what was I thinking? As a girl who has a phobia of smelling, I should NEVER get a perm))

Know Me II

2005-08-01T12:08:00.000-06:00

So I've been a bit blue as of late. I needed encouragement. I felt alone. God gave me an invitation to join Him outside on my hammock. It was a bit rediculous because I started to read my Bible but it was so dark I nearly gave myself a stigmatism. He didn't direct me to read anything specific so I started in Hosea simply because I'm fascinated by his character. God didn't say too much except:

"I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. I will betroth you to me in faithfulness and you will know the Lord." Hosea 2:19-20

Claratin and Kindness

2005-07-25T22:04:00.000-06:00

Installment Two: (like five years later... sorry I'm so bad at this) Pony.
Yes, my second installment is about Pony, Montana. Contrary to popular belief, it exists and is not quite as lame as its title betrays it to be. The connotation of it is a pleasant one, but the only cognate between the location and it's attributes are found in it being little. Like tiny. Granted, this 'town' has a post office, but other than that it resembles nothing of a horse.

So, what then, was the appeal, the draw, the sanity that would take me to a place like Pony? My best friend Megan. I spent the weekend visiting where she grew up, where she works, and where she is spending the summer. The place is beautiful and even my pictures betray its exquisite creation. It rocked because we went camping in the middle of it all. It sucked because for the first time in my life I decided to have allergies.
Okay, Claratin, Benadryl, Walgreens... It's all rubbish. I took like five of everything and the only relief I felt was this funky anti-histamine drunkenness that made it dangerously impossible to roast marshmallows. Then when I decided to retire to the tent, I discovered we planted it on like a 50 degree slope so all my sinuses were tragically impaled because my snot ran all the way to the back of my brain. Miserable is hardly the adjective.
In the morning I was slightly coherent enough to have an incredible conversation with Megan's mentor and family friend Krystal. We discussed politics, drinking, pregnancy and evangelism. This woman carried a heart for God like none other, and she reminded me that it is the Kindness of God that leads us to repentance. Beautiful.
For the first time over those first 24 congested hours I looked around to discover Grace. Visible to the eye in the simple complexity of the flowers, the gentle anthem of the stream and the glorious location of Pony Montana. God is so kind. Even when we have allergies.

Mesa-me-happy

2005-07-16T23:05:00.000-06:00

Here I am complaining about a Pharmacy, and musing over what to write, when I have a number of things to blog about. Consider this installment one: Arizona.
I had never visited this great arid state before and was pleasantly surprised when I landed there a few weeks ago to spend seven days with my friend. After an enchanting introduction to 115 degrees of delicious perspiration, I got down to business. I was there for one purpose, to preach the Word of God to some adolescent females at a girl's retreat in Pinetop AZ. Those of you who have known me for like three seconds know this is what makes me tick. Seeing young women set free to live pure, amazing, beautiful, divine, Jesus-saturated, whole, lovely, God-enormous lives... and by golly, since I had something to say about it, I was going to encourage them to do so the only way I knew how: making an absolute fool out of myself whilst talking about Jesus and reading the Word of God. To my unabashed surprised... they didn't mind. In fact, they liked me! (insert warm happy fuzzies here)

The retreat was called 'FLOURISH' and although I went to minister to some high school girls, I didn't bargain on having my life changed! Throughout the entire 54 hours we were on this mountain, God showed up big time. Girls shared their stories, they made new friends, they ate lots of chocolate, they prayed with Holy Spirit insight, they decided to live for God, they had revelations of what it was all about, they got intimate with Jesus, they took steps toward freedom, they got an glimpse of who they are: the beautiful daughters of a King who were born to make manifest the glory of God. And SHAZAM! in the meantime, God ruined me for the ordinary. Something like this has to happen in Missoula. Stay tuned.

What a rip off!

2005-07-13T15:33:00.000-06:00

So when I first re-entered the United States I was super excited to watch TV again. I'm sorry but dodgey public Australian TV leaves much to be desired for the cultural pop-trend overload found on all 50+ channels delivered to my tube here in the states. What intrigued me most about my re-introduction to channel surfing was the commercials. One in particular. For Walgreens. They left me breathless.
Imagine a perfect world where your neighbors brought you flowers everyday and your house never had a speck of dust. It was Christmas all year round and sugar plums and fairies danced all the time and you never had to go to work or pay your bills. This is seriously what the commercial portrayed. Then it said "In the real world, there's Walgreens". I was gone.
Did Walgreens really have dancing fairies? I was convinced this place was magical. When I heard Missoula was getting one I flipped! I was so excited to go check out this amazing place of luxurious enchantment.
Yesterday was my day. I visited it at the corner of Reserve... but I was sorely disappointed. I'm here to make it known that Walgreen's is a fraud! There was nothing magical about the place, except that maybe it carried four more brands of toothpaste than Target does. I was so upset I left... without any fairy dust, without any flowers, without flying. I just want to let you all know that Walgreens is deceiving and that you shouldn't watch their commercials. They will lead you astray and make you cry. The end.

This blog thing takes it out of me!

2005-07-09T00:16:00.000-06:00

Gee Whiz Wally. I have like, what? three posts on this thing and already I'm scrambling for ideas of what to blog about? Maybe my creative crisis is due to the fact that my other friends have such brilliant blogs, that I simply cannot match their astounding genius. You should check these literal works of art...

www.bottleofwhoop.blogspot.com - my heroine writes this one
www.knitload.blogspot.com - makes me laugh, takes my breath away cause she's GENIUS!
www.theveve.blogspot.com - beautiful daughter of a king has insights and honesty for all
www.livinginthelight.blogspot.com - Funniest woman in my world authors the awesomest blog!
(is 'awesomest' a word?)
www.lancefisher.blogspot.com - basically the best blogger in the world. no contest!
www.chialpha.blogspot.com - everyone knows how obsessed I am with this Chi Alpha thing... who knew it came in a friendly websurfer's version?
www.ohiodawa.blogspot.com - pretty much the most entertaining to-date...
www.freelancepoedry.blogspot.com - THIS HAS TO BE THE MOST CREATIVE BRILLIANT FUNNY BEAUTIFUL WONDERFUL FEEL GOOD INSPIRATIONAL BLOG EVER!!!!! it's pretty good...

So here I am reading all of these awesome brainschilds and what am I thinking about when I try to sit down and write a blog? How I could invent a dryer that dries in half the time... which might be scary for the care of your clothing. How great John Mayer's lyrics are "these days I wish I were six again, oh make me a red cape. I wanna be superman"... but actually I'd probably wish to be WonderWoman. Seriously, though, who could pull off her outfit? What will I wear tomorrow? I should really be vacuuming. Dogs get all the luck. Mine sits at home ALL day and gets pampered, gets attention, gets fed on a silver platter (I'm exaggerating). Maybe I'll invent a robot that can sit in the mall and make smoothies for people. Then I could sit at home and get pampered, get attention...Laughing at how scared my friend is of moths. Mental note: buy film. Thinking of good opening lines for a short story: Marci was the type of person who felt sorry for inatimate objects and grieved over tossing the bottle of lotion that still carried the few impossible drops to squeeze out. Severely Random, but it has potential... possibly... Pondering what Pony will be like (I'm visiting this weekend.) Oh I think the my laundry is done. Peace out.

Praise

2005-06-22T00:15:00.000-06:00

Brand new hammock, nice warm day, one fine nap... Interruption from a pre-schooler. Last Sunday I was attempting a sweet siesta in my newest piece of patio furniture when my next door neighbors decided to teach their grandson how to play tennis. You'd be surprised how rowdy retire-ees can get when they are teaching sportsmanship to their 'babies'. Before long I was getting slightly 'annoyed' with their antics and really wanted to ask them to use their 'inside' voice (which would have been entirely inappropriate, so I restrained) until I actually LISTENED to what they were saying.

"Cody, wow! Great Job Bud!"

"You're swell! Watch out Wimbleton!"

"Awesome! You are doing SO good."

At this point I curiously peaked over the fence and there stood Cody standing still as stone while his grandparents weakly tossed bright yellow balls that fell dead off his stationary racquet. I was shocked... surely this kid was not even remotely close to any sort of trophy, yet by the sounds of it, this child was the next tennis equivalent to Tiger Woods!
Naturally I couldn't sleep after this, so my mind began to ponder the points of praise. Cody must have felt like a million bucks. (If you can truly 'feel' anything as a wad of cash )
What if we were to treat everyone like a Champ? What if we were as liberal with encouragement to adults as we are to children? What if we applauded the people we would normally take for granted? I believe the world might be a very different place. Just a thought. Good work Cody!

(I have a feeling, my new hammock may be the source of blog inspiration for many more of my cheesy entries.)

Know Me

2005-06-13T23:31:00.000-06:00

"Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom,

Let not the mighty man glory in his might,

Nor let the rich man glory in his riches,

But let him who glories glory in this:

That he understands and knows Me..."

Jeremiah 9:23-24

Switchfoot has a point...

2005-06-13T23:30:00.000-06:00

One of my best friends and I had a telephone conversation the other day about how our dreams and desires were all meaningless. Don't worry, we didn't go all Ecclesiastical or anything, and we didn't knock the fact that God has designed us to have vision for the future and purpose in the moment, but there was this resounding thought in us that we were meant to live for so much more. Perhaps there is this innate desire, nay a gnaw in us for something grander, greater, more glorious than what this world has to offer. Could it be that our heart's hunger for friendship, marriage, children and even 'success' is simply an appetizer for a more substantial fulfillment beyond our imagining.
Correct me if I'm wrong philosophers, but wasn't it Plato that had this idea that we were living in a cave with our backs to the 'fire' existing as if the shadows were reality and all that it entails... Could it be that if we turned around and faced the source of all Light that we would discover a dimension our feeble imagination could hardly wish for... True life and the glory thereof.
It makes me recall the 'painful grass' in Heaven that CS Lewis recounts in the "Great Divorce" and how the passers through couldn't bear to stand on the divine knoll because the reality of it all was too much for their preferred palate of drab.
People, this world has ripped us off! They've reduced our Creator to Captain Planet whose only real power comes from a bunch of tin rings entrusted to a multi-cultural posse of children... I think there was a monkey thrown in somewhere too!
What I'm trying to say is that there is more. There is something greater. Don't settle for a lesser-existence fueled by lesser-loves and lesser-stories! We were created to live for so much more. For a Glory this reality has yet to sample. Come on! Let's wet their appetite and give this earth a taste of Heaven!

Perhaps

2005-06-13T22:38:00.000-06:00

"Maybe we've been living with our eyes half open..."

how beautiful... are your feet...

2005-06-10T22:02:00.000-06:00

To all of those who have stumbled upon this blog with utter appallment at my fetish for feet, be rest assured that although I admire the human anatomy, I don’t adore podiatry. Rather, I have created this site for two reasons. I primarily want to emulate some of the most brilliant people in my world that have inspired and encouraged me to write and/or bare my soul online. Secondly I was sort of looking for an outlet to exergete Isaiah 52:7…so here it goes!

“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’”

I have consumed this verse (or this verse has consumed me) for quite some time now. You know why I devour it so? Cause it’s talking about those who simply exude the gospel. I get this picture of salvation seeping from every human who knows Jesus… to the point where the world will simply look on and gasp ‘how beautiful’. All those that worship the King of Heaven are being spoken of in this verse! It’s slightly daunting, because in all honesty, I don’t always feel that I personify the beautiful feet aura.

But I love this thought from John Eldridge on this subject… “Have you thought about (God’s) handling of the gospel? God needs to get a message out to the human race, without which, they will perish…forever. What’s the plan? First, he starts with the most unlikely group ever: a couple of prostitutes, a few fishermen with no better than a second-grade education, a tax collector. Then he passes the ball to us. Unbelievable.”

What a thought, that even though our lives may not be committed to eighty hours of ‘ministry’ each week, there is still a God who believes in us enough to call us out as God-revealers to this generation and the next. It may faintly look like proclaiming “Jesus lives” from Mount Sentinel, or it may look like just being true to your faith around your co-workers. In either case God will no doubt say “You are beautiful!” My meager advice: Just keep stepping in salvation and I guarantee that while you do, you’ll stand honored on both sides of eternity and of you it will be said “Dang, you’ve got some mighty fine feet.”

Just as an aside: This blog may be slightly cheesy. You should grab some crackers and enjoy.