Happy Sunday!

Today was a good day, with a nice mix of relaxation & productivity.  I started the day by going to church followed by a visit to a local coffee shop for some reading.  Then this afternoon, I spent quite a while in the kitchen, which I've really come to enjoy.

First I made some "clean out the refrigerator" chili with various leftover ingredients, which turned out to be quite delicious!  Ground beef, tomato sauce, tomato paste, homemade salsa, black beans, pinto beans, corn, and seasonings.  I paired it with some bake-at-home organic rosemary bread that I found at Aldi.  Perfect dinner for a winter day and plenty of leftovers for lunch this week - bonus!

Then I made this granola:  http://www.themom100.com/the-mom-100-blog/recipes/crunchy-chewy-granola/

I love this recipe...it really is chewy and crunchy, and so easy to make!

Next, I decided to prep some easy grab & go breakfast items for the week.  I find it so much less stressful to get ready in the morning when I don't have to worry about preparing breakfast & lunch.  

I made some overnight oats - almond milk, plain yogurt, steel cut oats, flax or chia seeds, berries, and a little bit of jam for sweetness.  There are tons of variations online, but I usually just use whatever I have on hand.  Coconut is a good addition too.  Jut put all the ingredients in a jar & shake it up, then mix and eat in the morning.  So yummy!

Finally, I made a couple of smoothies to freeze -- I haven't tried this before, but one of my co-workers does it & says it works out well.  You just have to remember to put them in the fridge the night before so there is time to thaw.

I made a PB chocolate banana mix with almond milk and spinach.  Look forward to seeing how they turn out defrosted.

Looking forward to a great week ahead!

Best Part of My Day

Standing in the return line at Kohl's.  The surprisingly long return line considering it is not the week after Christmas and it is 7pm on a Saturday night (yes, I'm a party animal, I know!).  

I walk up behind an adorable elderly couple and casually comment on the long line.  The guy says, "You're not in a hurry, are you?"

I shrug. "No, not really."

"Because, if you are, I can go up there and speed things up," he says confidently.

We share a laugh.  Then he turns around.  A few moments later, he turns to show me a picture on his phone.

"Look at that pile of snow!" he exclaims, showing me a mound created by the plow truck, as if it's the most amazing thing he's ever seen.

"Wow!" I say. I ask where the picture was taken.

"At the old folks home."  He laughs.

He turns back around.  His wife says something quietly, probably telling him to leave me alone. :)

A few seconds pass, then he's back with another photo.

"That's my dog."

"Aww, cute!" I reply.

"He's dead now," he says bluntly, then he laughs again.  I can't help but laugh too.

Then it's his turn at the register.

"I'll make it quick, so you don't have to wait long."

He banters with the clerk, then as he leaves, he says to me, "Thanks for coming in!"

I couldn't help but walk through the rest of the store with a goofy smile on my face.  Oh, the little things.  Day made.


Second Best Part of My Day

Sitting in Starbucks, working on my computer.  Overheard conversation of two twenty-something girls, talking about a friend and her boyfriend.

"Their relationship sounds so boring!  She said they are trying not to make out."

"What?!"

"Yeah, I can't imagine trying not to.  Why would you do that?"

"I know!  It's so fun!"

"What are they going to do if they get married?  Wait a year to have sex for the first time?"

Oh dear.

Pen & Pencils

Today's prompt: When was the last time you wrote something substantive — a letter, a story, a journal entry, etc. — by hand? Could you ever imagine returning to a pre-keyboard era?

Last week - I wrote a letter to my sponsored Compassion child.  :)

I love to write by hand.  I love nice pens.  (The thing I regret most about not teaching is that I don't need to buy school supplies!)  I especially love to write in cursive with a nice pen.  It appalls me that kids don't learn to write in cursive anymore.  I was shocked when my cousin's finance, who is over 20 years old, could not read handwritten cards at her bridal shower!  It's so sad!

I understand that technology is a big deal & kids need to learn typing, but how will they even sign their own name if they aren't taught how to write?

Maybe it's not necessary, but it's an art form that they're missing out on.

Getting emails is great, but there's nothing better than finding a handwritten card in the mailbox.

Goal for the week:  Send a handwritten note every day.

I Got Skills

Today's prompt:  If you could choose to be a master (or mistress) of any skill in the world, which skill would you pick?

First thing that comes to mind...singing.

I really wish I was a better singer.  I can clearly remember two different instances, probably around middle school, when I became aware of my lack of skills in this area.  I had never thought much about it or been self-conscious about my voice until then.  Once was at a youth group event, singing with a church full of kids.  I had brought a friend and I remember hearing her singing next to me and suddenly realizing that she had talent that I did not.  Another time was at a sleepover with friends...these girls loved to sing and dance (another skill I could certainly use improvement in!), and they were belting out Disney songs while we danced around the basement.  I joined in, but was very aware of my inability to carry a tune.

Ever since then, I've been very self-conscious about my voice.  I never sing loudly.  Sometimes I just whisper or mouth the words when I'm in close proximity to others.

If I'm talking to someone about a particular song and they ask, "How does it go?"  I immediately feel awkward.  I know that even if I tried, my version wouldn't sound anything like the real thing.  Usually it's pretty embarrassing.

I've been trying to practice, though, in the comfort of my own car.  :)  Sometimes I think, "maybe I'm not so bad after all."  And then there are other times...like yesterday when I had myself laughing out loud at how horrible & off-key I sounded.

I would love to be a talented singer and not worry about what other people thought.  To be able to sing with confidence and enjoy it.

Maybe it will never happen.

But at least I'm learning to laugh about it, right?

Rejoice With Those Who Rejoice

It was not an accident that I read Romans 12 yesterday morning before heading to work.  Verse 15 in particular stuck out to me:  "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn."  I remember reading it over more than once, and thinking "I wish I was better at that."

It seems like a simple enough concept, something that should come naturally.  But sometimes I really struggle with both ends of the spectrum.  Envy & jealousy creep in, and instead of being excited for a friend's big news, I'm thinking, "What about me?  When is it my turn?"  And when someone is going through something difficult, instead of just being present with them and sharing in their tears, I feel awkward and worried about what I'm supposed to say, which turns into me focusing on me again.

At work, a dear friend announced her engagement, and I simultaneously felt joy and sadness.  I was genuinely happy for her, and at the same time, there was that little voice saying, "What about me?"

And then I heard another voice..."Rejoice with those who rejoice..."

So I prayed for God to change my heart.  I know deep down that someone else's joy does not negate my own.  Someone else's success does not mean my failure.  But I need to be reminded sometimes.

And then, later, through tears, a friend confided in me about some struggles and hurt, and I didn't have the perfect words to say, and I started worrying about how I might sound and whether I was doing a good job.  But then I just did my best to listen, and I heard that voice again..."mourn with those who mourn."

How quickly I forget.

God, keep reminding me.  Change my heart.  Help me to listen well, to love well, and to celebrate more.

Connect the Dots

Today's prompt: Open your nearest book to page 82. Take the third full sentence on the page, and work it into a post somehow.

"We can stay as long as we need to."

One of my college roommates and I are planning a trip to Nashville in April to visit another roommate for spring break. These girls are the best of friends I could ask for. We've all been through a lot over the last several months, so this trip is just what we need to look forward to. It's sure to be full of laughs, good conversation, good food, and crazy adventures. Life has taken us all on different paths since college, but when we're together, it's like we were never apart. It's sweet time that's good for the soul.

When I read the quote on page 82, I imagined that sentence being stated while we're in Nashville.

"We can stay as long as we need to."

As long as we need to heal our wounds, to grow our faith, to figure out our paths, to build each other up...

We might just stay forever.

I know that a week isn't going to be enough. We need each other more than ever.

But a week will have to be enough for now. We have lives in different places that we need to return to. Thankfully, we have email and texting and phones to keep us in touch. It's not the same as being together but it helps. And maybe someday God will bring our paths near again.

But, until then, we'll dream of staying. Of what it would be like to be neighbors. To raise our families together. To have coffee dates and movie nights. To do life together.

Someday we'll stay.

Oh, how sweet that day will be.

From Me to Me

In an effort to write more, I discovered a website that provides daily blog prompts.  I figured I'd give it a try...

Today's prompt:  Write a letter to your 14-year-old self.

Dear Kelsey,

Welcome to high school!  I know the last year was hard, but you made it - congrats!  Moving to a different state, starting 8th grade in a new school, leaving a place & friends you loved - it was hard, but you did it.  It may not have felt like the right thing at the time, but God had a plan.  Later you'll see that His timing was right.  And your time in Virginia will always hold a sweet place in your memory.

This past year, you've made some great friends, and they will stick with you though the challenges of high school. Don't take them for granted. Enjoy this time, but don't believe the people who say, "these are the best years of your life."  Don't worry - it gets so much better than this!  Try to just be yourself, enjoy who you're with, don't try to measure up to the 'popular girls' or try to be someone you're not.  Years from now, no one will care what group you hung out with or if you had the tannest skin or the blondest hair.  Don't worry so much about your weight - you're skinnier than you think, even if you can't see it in the mirror.  Quit counting calories and just eat real food...I promise, you like more fruits & veggies than you think. ;)

The coming years will be difficult at times, but your friends and family will guide you through.  Don't be afraid to take risks.  And when your friend asks you to go to Young Life with her (even if it's just to follow a certain boy)...go!  And when you're invited to go to camp, even when you're scared to death of going alone, go for it!  It will be the beginning of an amazing journey.  I don't want to spoil the ending, but just know you won't regret it for a moment.  That one decision will make a huge impact on many years ahead.

Another thing about taking risks...don't be afraid of going away to college.  I know homeschooling may sound nice & safe now (I know you're not really serious about that...), but your time away at college will be some of the best of your life (as far as I can tell right now, anyway)!  Get excited.  Go boldly!  God will guide you and cross your path with some of the most amazing people and the most incredible experiences.  Enjoy the ride.  It will pass faster than you think.

Remember, life is full of surprises.  Things won't always go as you plan, but God's plan is bigger and better.  Trust in him.  Worry less.  Invest in people.  Don't spend all your time on homework!  Have fun.  Be you.  You have lots to look forward to!

Love,

Me

P.S.  The pigs in biology class aren't as scary as they seem.

P.P.S. Be extra careful with that baby doll you have to take home for class. :)