Community Prayer

Last night, I went to a community prayer service hosted by the church I attend. It was a great time of encouragement.

While looking around the room, I saw a rabbi sitting beside our preacher, a group of nuns from the outskirts of town, and friends from other churches around town. There were different racial and socio-economic groups represented. There were high city officials to people who struggle to make ends meet. A glimpse into Heaven, I'm sure.

We prayed that God would reign in our hearts, for churches, for our community, racial reconciliation, peace, and for God's kingdom to come. We sang songs of reverence and songs that made you get up and want to dance. We held hands. For a moment in time, we were all united. Praying that those moments of complete unity happen more often.

The Time I Became A "Mini-Farmer"...

We all have things on our bucket lists or things we want to have/accomplish in life. One of the things on my list happened earlier than I thought...

My Christmas day was much more relaxed this year than most. Justin and I opted to stay home this year. Amy drove over from Nashville to spend the week with us. After breakfast, we sat down to open gifts. Justin gave me this...

I was a little speechless and a little confused. What?!?! You see having a mini pig was always on my list of things that I would like to have and Justin knew that. It seems as though this was the year to get one. Justin's sister had a pig that she was wanting to find a home for and Justin decided to give the pig to me for Christmas. He explained the situation to me and told me that they would bring the pig over the weekend.

I was a little hesitant at first. In my mind, I wanted a pig as a newbie so I could train it and experience all the life stages. However, Justin said the pig had not yet been fixed to we could try to have a litter and I could keep a piglet too. Pigs are social animals and so it is better to have a playmate. After Justin answered all of my questions then I began to get excited.

Pearl. That's her name. She is a mini-pig so we even joked about "Minnie Pearl."

I got her on Sunday when I had the flu. The first week, we just survived. She cannot climb the steps so for every meal and trip outside I have to lug all 35 pounds of her up and down the steps. Hopefully, Justin will install a ramp on half-steps soon. The first week, I listened to her and Charlie make noises. Neither Justin nor I had the energy to just let them both free and work it out. Then, we took her to Nashville with us. NEVER will I travel with her again. More poo than a horse stall. Yuck for real. I also lost her for about 30 minutes in Nashville. She escaped my sister's backyard, but was found later munching on some clover in the neighbor's yard. The first week was rough.

We have come to a better place now. Pearl and Charlie now co-exist rather peacefully. Every morning, I wake up about 5:30 and put on my boots and winter gear over my pjs. I put Charlie in my bedroom and then I haul Pearl up the stairs and fix her meal outside. Leaving her outside, I go back and get ready for the day. Then, I go back outside, try to chase her out of the compost pile, and then carry her back downstairs and kennel her. Charlie is then free to go outside and I leave for work. I have more respect for farmers now then I ever did, but I also enjoy my mornings more than I thought. Could this city gal be ready for the farm life? Guess only time will tell...

The Year Ahead and The Year Behind

It has been a long time since my last blog post. Today as I reflect on my year, I am sad that I did not capture it to the fullness that I have done in the past thanks to blogging (or lack thereof).

2014 was a year of adventure. Here is what I said on our Christmas card...

We…

Decided we were done with long distance dating and are now living

in the same city! (Yay!)

Sold our 1^st camper and upgraded to another one

Attended our first NBA game (Go Grizzlies!)

Devoured much ice cream and Hawaii Five-O

Went on mini-adventures to Little Rock, Memphis, and Bristol

And went camping at Big Hill Pond State Park.

Justin…

Turned 30!

Began getting into the tree business (cutting and taking down trees)

Found out that he will be an uncle again (expected in Jan 2015)

Made a glorious return back to duck hunting and found himself

becoming quite the duck chef

And of course, offered love and affection to his favorite girl…

Charlie (the dog). ;)

Beth…

Was recognized as teacher of the year at Una Elementary

Moved to Jonesboro, AR

Spent a month traveling down the West Coast with a couple

of girlfriends (Seattle to LA) and then finished her travels

with a jaunt to Colorado

Got a 1^st grade teaching position at Fox Meadow Elementary

Continued to have a clean bill of health (thanks be to God!)

And enjoyed reading books for pleasure rather than textbooks

for the first time in several years.

Plus as of Christmas, I became a pig owner. Yep, you read that right.

As people are setting resolutions or coming up with words to theme the year ahead, I have gone back and forth as to what I want to do. I believe in setting goals. There is something to writing them down as well. So having said that here is my one resolution and word for 2015....

Resolution: Wash my face every single morning and night.  (I am a grown up now after all plus my Nana taught me better.)  Yes, I shower everyday and wash my face occasionally, but I was blessed with pretty clear skin so...

Word: "Healthy"... I chose this word because it can pertain to physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual health. I want to work my way to better health in all of these areas. I am not being specific because I do not want to limit myself or aim too high. I just want to be moving to better health in all aspects of my life.

In 2015, I want less of these things in my life...

• Soda
• Using Facebook as means of keeping up with friends
• Avoiding looking at bank account
• DVD tv show marathons (Once you pop, you can't stop... know what I mean?!?!)

In 2015, I want more of these things in my life...

• Time spent outdoors
• Home cooked meals
• Letters, phone calls, and face-to-face time spent catching up with friends
• Dollars in my bank account
• Art... creating and or admiring
• Blogging so I can have a better reminder of all things wonderful in my life
• Experiences of new things and new places

Here to a happy and HEALTHY 2015 with clean faces! ;)

Summer 2014

Summer is upon us.

Only 3 1/2 days left with the kiddos.

Only 1 week until I move to Arkansas.

Only 2 weeks until the West Coast adventure.

Did I mention 3 1/2 days with kiddos?!?!!? ;)

Today, we are making summer bucket lists. I went ahead and made mine to share. Some of these will be attained on the West Coast adventure and others I hope to do a lot of these with J.  For the last one I am looking at you, Renee T.

 

I did kick summer off a little early (okay, not really early, but we are still in school so it is not officially summer).  Over the weekend I met J and the McCallisters for a little camping action at Big Hill Pond State Park in Pocahontas, Tennessee. We made smores, laid around in the hammock, and just spent time relaxing and catching up with no technology. We hiked to an observation tower with a beautiful view. J and I even got to do a little star gazing. Best kind of way to kick off a summer.

 

 

Summer is almost here!!!! Now back to work...



Awakening

“Closed in a room, my imagination becomes the universe, and the rest of the world is missing out.” 

 -Criss Jami

A year away from blogging. A year of changes and growth. A year my family probably felt they did not know what was going on in my life since they read about it here.

You should always take a break... a little reprieve. Even and sometimes especially if it is something good. You gain perspective.

I am back, my friends. Ready to write. Perhaps with a little more seriousness. Even if it for nobody but myself.

Some great adventures are in store...

Where I Come From

The last few weeks have been busy writing papers for grad school and lesson plans for 1st grade. (I should be writing a paper right now. Sheesh.) However, we did get a little chance to take a break from the academic writing to write a little "I Am" poetry that stemmed from a book we read in class. Thought I would share mine...

I am from the South where we draw out our words, sip on sweet tea, pretend everything is alright, and show hospitality.

I am from a broken family with many parents, many siblings, and many lessons learned.

I am from a childhood that felt like raging seas, but was anchored by a God that pursued me.

I am from hopes, dreams, and the desire to rise above.

I am from an education that showed me what servant leadership is and that numbers do not matter.

I am from a country that is consumed by materialism, but surrounded by a people that are called to something different.

I am from heartbreak, love, quirkiness, and old-souls.

I am from a place that is a home-not a building, but a life.

Where I am from helps define me, but does not constrain me.

I am going places.

Yummy Lunches!

Sandwiches and Lean Cuisines get old after awhile so I am always on the lookout for new things to try. Thanks to Oh She Glows (via Pinterest) I have found one of new favorites for lunch (or dinner)!

Quick Avocado-Lime Black Bean Salad

Ingredients:
•Two 15-ounce can black beans

•1 lime, juiced

•1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped

•2 small shallots, diced

•1/2 tbsp olive oil

•3/4 teaspoon ground cumin

•1/4-1/2 tsp Kosher Salt, to taste

•Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

•1 large avocado, chopped into 1/2 inch pieces


Directions: Drain the beans thoroughly and rinse. In a large bowl add the beans and toss with lime juice, cilantro leaves, diced shallot, olive oil, and ground cumin. Season to taste with salt and black pepper. Peel and slice an avocado, and serve the beans at room temperature, with chopped avocado on top or mixed throughout the salad. Note that I did not have any cilantro on hand, but it still tasted delicious! Makes 3-4 servings.


Do you have any recipes you think I should try?