Destination Starbucks

I started my speech class on friday. Honestly, I really enjoyed it. On Friday night she gave us an assignment to go sit somewhere and people watch for an hour. We were to record the different type of conversations going on throughout the place and different observations. I, of course, was thrilled because this gave me a perfect excuse to go to my favorite place ever; Starbucks. I got to sit around and read and journal while sipping on my drink. Best. Assignment. Ever.



While I was there and feeling slightly like a creeper writing about the conversations I was watching, a dad and his little 3 or 4 year-old girl walked in. He got his coffee she got her chocolate milk and they went and sat down. Despite the fact that it was loud in the shop and the fact that they were on the polar opposite side of the room from me I could still hear this little girl jabbering about what seemed to me to be absolute nonsense. Her hands would wave around at times that just didn't go with what she was saying and she would pause only long enough to take a breath. The most interesting thing to me about this whole scene was that her dad completely understood every word she was saying. Every hand motion made sense to him, every sentence that would be unintelligeble to an untrained ear, he totally got.


Now, I love the moon. The other week our pastor made the statement that you should find things that help "stir up" your love for God. Well one of the things that always leaves me in awe of God is the moon. A few nights ago I had an overwhelming feeling of loneliness. Being home alone with nothing to do on a regular basis is just not something I'm used to. So laying in bed looking towards the next few months being void of conversation and friendships that I miss was overwhelming. So I grabbed my pillow, blanket, and sleeping bag and went outside to talk to God for a while. It was perfect and clear outside, just like it always seems to be when I'm hurting most. I got to just cry and pour my heart out and share everything that was eating at me and that I'm struggling with.

Believe it or not, this story ties into my Starbucks Adventure. While I was at Starbucks observing the Dad and his little girl I was struck with how much that is like God and us and the conversation I had had with him a few nights before. Things I could try to sit down and explain to other people over and over again, he understands just with my tears. The nonsensical jibberish I talk to him while I'm trying to share what I'm feeling, he just gets. There are things he knows and I don't even have to open my mouth to make him understand. Its the most comforting thought for me right now. I'm known. And not only am I known, but I'm understood. I don't think there is a better way to conquer the feeling of loneliness than to tackle it with that thought.

I know none of that had anything to do with my goals, but I hope it is encouraging to someone, anyone really. Its good just to be reminded as I'm typing it out. On a slightly lighter note: While I was sleeping outside the sprinklers went off at 6am. Ha. I kinda wish we had a video of my disoriented scramble to get inside.

Well I hope y'all have a great week!
James 1:2-4
-Kelly

Day 1

And so it begins. Well today was productive to say the least. With my Dad in Phoenix and my Madre and Mer at the church all day I had more then enough time to get a few things done. Three loads of laundry were vanquished. The dirty dishes were conquered. The grand staircase, hallway, and guest bathroom were all polished and put in order. Spencer's truck windows were washed to get rid of the "Just Married" decorations. A little French was learned, a chapter of Screwtape read, and my sheet music for Trouble was bought and printed off. All before having a lovely meal of Veggie Frittia with my Mama. And I still got to take a nap, watch a movie, and somehow manage to still waste a bit of time on the computer. Typical. I'm quite certain that the best part about being alone in the house is not all the productive things you get done, but the fact that you can blast your music full volume while doing them. And maybe throw in a few ridiculous dance moves too..(We learned Beat It for a friend's wedding..it's amazing how many songs you can do that dance to.)

My favorite part of today came around 5:30. I was cooking dinner and I heard my phone ring in the other room. I went to go see who it was but I had missed the call. Actually, I had missed 4 calls at that point all from the same number. I was a little confused because it was a 479 number and so I just assumed it was RazAlert on the fritz again. But on the 5th time I finally picked up. When I answered and said hello the person on the other end said, "Hi Ms. Kelly!" A name I only get called by a handful of people. Turns out it was one of my students from LifeSource; Daylan! He had called to tell me that he had gotten his football helmet and jersey. Which is really funny to me. When you look at Daylan you will probably think football. He is taller and bigger then all the other boys his age, so it is most likely assumed by most people that he is a player. When you actually know Daylan you figure out the he doesn't have an aggressive bone in his body. He is one of the biggest softies known to mankind. Despite that fact all the kids looked up to him merely because of his size. He could make some of the boys do their homework better than I ever could, just by looking over their shoulder. Anyway, he called me all excited about his helmet he just got. He also told me about summer practices, reassured me that his grades were improving and then had to go do homework. Even though we only chatted for a little while it pretty much made my day.

(Jadae, Deveny, me, and Daylan "Family" photo)

Well that was in general my day, I can reassure you I won't be blogging every day, I hope I don'y have that much time on my hands all the time, but I just figured I should post on the first day. I must say I had planned on reading some Harry Potter but I opted for Blood Diamond instead. I'm sorry Haley. I'll get on that soon! :)

Later friends!

Colossians 1:9-12,

Kelly

Once upon a time...

The header seemed like a logical way to start this blog. I mean its not exactly going to be full of fairy tail material, but that's the way every good tale starts so I figured I should atleast start it out good, even if it just goes downhill from here. This blog is being born from several factors in my life right now: A) Free time, B) Boredom, C) A desire to be productive, and D) A desire to be responsible. The blog will merely be a collection of thoughts and updates on my goals and how they are going. Its a form of accountibility, though I'm not sure how it will go. It is a test run after all. I hope I can attempt to be witty enough to keep a few people interested in reading. Keep your fingers crossed. I mean that may be too high of a bar. Lets lower the standard a bit; I hope I can be witty enough to even keep myself entertained!

Summer is an interesting time. This one in particular is experiencing a lot of changes within it. To start my brother is now a married man and will be living in Arkansas with his beautiful wife that I love (and that he loves too, of course). Its not the first summer that we've seen little of each other but it is the first of the rest of our lives that we won't be living under the same roof together. Also, today we sent Hope off to Alaska for 10 weeks. I have never spent a summer so far away from her for so long. Actually I've never spent this much time in my entire life so far for so long. I'm so excited for her and just what an incredible trip this will be for her. (P.s-If you haven't sent her support yet...DO IT!! I can get you the address!!) This will also be the first summer in 6 years that I will not be flying somewhere. It'll be the first summer in 4 years that I won't leave the contry. The first summer of the last 4 that I will not be a camp counselor, of the last 7 a VBS leader or a Creative Arts Camp leader. It is Mer-Bear's first full summer at her new dance studio, which keeps her busy as a bee (you like that? Thought of the phrase myself.) All in all it is a lot of changes at once.

After having gone to an old basketball friend's graduation tonight I remembered something that I miss a lot about playing a sport. Excellence. A group of people encouraging, challenging, and striving for both indiviual and group excellence. I realize that excellence is not just in a sport, but it should be in everything I do, as if I'm working for God and not for man. So I figured this summer is a God-given summer to work on growing up. Finally setting goals and following through with them. Its not going to be easy and it'll take discipline (something I tend to lack, which you probably already knew if you are reading this blog) But here is a list of goals I have for this summer time, some silly and more for fun, others more serious. Here it goes:

1. Make A's in Speech and Biology

2. Assign and clean a certain section of the house 5 days of the week

3. Learn to play "Trouble" by Coldplay on the keyboard

4. Take Rosetta Stone French 1 (Bon Jor!)

5. Read all of the Harry Potter books (This is a serious one. Ha. Just kidding. But no really its gonna happen)

6. Memorize Psalm 103

7. Nanny. That in and of itself isn't really the goal, because I'll do that no matter what, but that I will do it with excellence and joy! Without complaining or grumbling.

8. Make door decks for my Pomfret PANDAmonium! (YAYAYAYAYAYAYAY!! SO excited)

9. Re-read Screwtape Letters (Take 3! Favorite book. Ever.)

10. Cooking. I'm decent and I do it every now and then but I'd like to be making atleast 1 meal a week ontop of bi-monthly cooking parties with dearest Little Lew (Haley Lewellen, for those who don't know)

So these are the goals. And here is where you come in. Yes you, the reader, I have a little favor to ask of you. I'm not really sure who you are yet, but if you wouldn't mind showing even the slightlest bit of love (or hate, if you so please) and leaving a note just so I know someone, anyone, is reading. I mean its so easy to just forget. I tend to start strong and give up and I need as much help as I can get following through. Its not exactly my strong suit. I hope I can do my part and keep you entertained enough to want to stick around. Only time will tell, eh?

Till next time,
Philippians 1:3-4
-Kelly