My New Family

So, in my previous entry I introduced you to some people who have been part of my extended family for a period of time long enough that they are pretty much stuck with me. Sorry guys!

Now for the new members of my family.

Mike, Whitney, and the boys -- You can meet them here. They are the leaders of my community group. And we also went to the same college. While Mike and Whitney met and fell in love, I didn't know either of them. Whitney and I knew some mutual friends and Mike and I made to sure take every class in the College of Business. But alas, 8 years after we graduated our paths crossed and I love these two dearly. It's great to have people in our present who can also understand part of our past. Mike and I share some similar sentiments of our time at TTU so we can relate on what warped us during those college years. Whitney is a bookworm so it's always fun to share books and discuss what we read. Top if all of with a shared love of Christ and it's win/win. Plus they are about to have a baby (any. day. now) and we all know how much I love babies!

Benji, Lauren, B and baby -- Lauren was the first person to really welcome me into River Church. She's the cutest thing you've ever seen. Really, I've never seen her look bad even when she was moving boxes into their (super-cute) new house. Benji played minor league baseball so it's like having a mini-celebrity in our midst every week. Just kidding, he's in no way conceited. It's awesome to get to talk to someone who got to live out a childhood dream of being in the leagues (even if it wasn't the big leagues.) They bring a real heart for their friends to grow closer in their faith and it's great to hear how God is moving in those relationships each week.

Stephen, Annette, and the kids -- I told you to read Annette's blog a few posts ago. Guys, I'm sorry, I should have said it was for the girls. It's true. It's really not guys reading material. I apologize. I never leave this couple's presence without truly seeing something so God-like and God-minded. I know they have no idea what impact they have made on me and words could not even begin to desribe it. I watch them constantly be obidient to God's calling even if it means wondering how the dollars will stretch the entire month, but knowing that they are where they are supposed to be and that's the ultimate goal. To be where we are supposed to be, no matter the circumstances. And the circumstances, they will show up. Just ask Stephen or Annette. They'll tell you.

And there are so many more. Danna and Corey, Candise, Zhenya, Todd and Lori, and more. To say I have been blessed is an understatement. This group of people has finally made the place I've lived for the past 2 1/2 years finally feel like it might be home to me.

Thought don't think I've forgotten you Tennessee...

We Are Family

Lately I've thought a lot about family. What is family? Two definitions of family are as follows:

1. a group of persons of common ancestry
2. a group of people united by certain convictions or common affiliation

I love my family as defined by #1. They have shaped so much of whom I am today. And I would do anything for any of them . But I think there is something to be said for the group who fall into #2. These people may not be related by blood or share a common DNA, but sometimes they shape us, the love us through the pretty and the ugly, and they leave footprints on our lives that will always be visible. So, I'd like to tell you about some of my family #2. The ones who've been there the past few years and have made an impact that will be long lasting.

S&S -- You can read about them here and here and here. And as much as I loved and respected the two of them then, the love and respect has only deepened over the years. I know that I can pick up the phone and call Shanle to tell her about my deepest secret, my happiest joys, and my random rants. We can talk about 200 things in the course of 5 minutes and know everything that was said. It's through her that I got my title "RandomCarrie" because I don't know that we've ever discussed one item for more than 3 minutes straight unless it was really important. They are my family.

J&A -- Jeremy and I have been friends for 3 years. He married Amy. Praise the Lord. She's perfect for him. Jeremy is like the brother I never had. We've vacationed together, we've watched chick flicks together, and we've watched Dumb & Dumber together. His idea, not mine. He was my wedding date when one was needed and last Summer I had the pleasure of watching him marry his perfect mate. We don't get together as much as possible, but when we do, it's great. My heart is currently breaking for Jeremy as his father passed away unexpectedly today. But I think that's part of being family. We hurt for each other.

A -- I've told you about Arynda before. Many, many times but this one is my favorite. We may not get to talk as much as we used to, but her faithfulness to the calling of serving others always sticks with me. And when I had to pick up and move 5.5 hours away, she immediately said she would go with me to move so I didn't have to go by myself. Her gift of service in such a selfless manner is still an inspiration to me. Now, if I could just get her to learn the word "No"... She is my sister.

A2 -- I don't know if I've told you much about Autumn. Our friendship was cemented through Gmail chat. She served two years in the Peace Corp in Cambodia. And I served 6 months of extreme lonliness here in the Low Country. And God let us cry on each others shoulders, laugh at each other antics, and develop a friendship that 10 years ago would not have existed, but PTL for technology it does. She's that special someone whom I know I can count on for keeping it real. And for telling me in plain English what is going on in the political world both domestic and international. A future CJ Cregg.

Tomorrow I am going to introduce you to the newest members of my family. These are people whom I didn't even know 7 months ago and I have now vowed to love through thick and thin, pretty and ugly, no matter what we may go through.

Monday Musings

1. I had 5 cubic yards of mulch delivered on Friday. As of tonight there are still 5 cubic yards of mulch piled on my parking pad. Tomorrow that pile will hopefully shrink by at least .5 cubic yards.
2. I hate weeds. Seriously, they are a thorn in my side. Thankfully I have not encountered any with thorns so that is not a literal thorn in my side.
3. There are bats in my attic. They will not leave. I'm becoming anti-bat because they are doing nothing to help the mosquito population.
4. I have mosquito bites. So many I have lost count. Including one I got between my pointer and middle fingers walking to my car the other day. I hate mosquitoes.
5. My pastor's oldest daughter M completely made my day the other day when she ran up to me at Wal-Mart, made me pick her up, then had to hug me and talk to me the whole way out the store. Love that kid. She also wanted to come home with me last night, but she doesn't want to live with me. She's going to give me her little sister N though.
6. I love all my kids at church. Seriously. Every single, stinking one of them. And some of them, well they wear diapers and they stink. Literally. But PTL for Huggies and wetwipes. They can redeem their cute, snuggliness.
7. I have booked a trip here for later this year:
8. I am on vacation tomorrow. Guess what that means? Yep, I have to log on and check some jobs for work to make sure people do their jobs. But I refused to do so today because it's a holiday. I checked my email for critical items and that is all. Go me.

Thursday Thoughts

Today my thoughts are heavy for Amy Beth. If you've never read her blog (women) you are missing out. She's a fiesty girl in her mid-20s who loves Big Hair and Beth Moore. In college she started a ministry for girls in her community and watched it grow. The Lord laid it on her heart last year to end that ministry. Since then she has learned that she has more severe health problems that she ever imagined. So, take some time and catch up with Amy Beth's story. And say a prayer for her. For physical comfort and the emotional comfort she is going to need going forward as she faces the possibilities that lie ahead in her treatments.

Tonight, please lift up Amy Beth. She's in a lot of pain. And as someone who has taken care of so many throughout her short life, she can use all the prayers of as many of us as possible. As a single girl who would love to have kids of my own, I cannot imagine the hurt she is and will be feeling emotionally, but I know that the thought of going through what she's going through on her own must be tremendous.

So, Amy Beth, I'm praying for you. And I'm sure my readers will do the same. You have and you will touch more lives than you can ever imagine.

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. -- James 1:12

Life Lessons

This year I have had an interesting encounter with an adult in my life. We don't see eye to eye with each other and thus we will never be best friends. But alas, we should still act like adults. This person when given the chance has chosen not to act their age. I was reflecting on this today because I just don't understand how some people can act the way they do. And then God gave me a reflection. I think some people are placed in our lives so that we can learn to be better people by not being as they are. I by no means will ever appear to be perfect as I am far from it. However, I sometimes realize that I see how other adults are acting and I catch myself saying a prayer that God will allow me to catch myself before I ever handle myself in the way they do.

Dear Emily Post, I Apologize for Technology

Etiquette. It's not just for people raised in the South. It's for everyone. And it exists to differentiate us from college fraternities. So, when the following happens it riles me up.

Roommate: Did you get the invite to B's shower?

Me: Huh?

Roommate: On Facebook

Me: Haven't checked.

So I log on and check and sure enough B has sent out an invite to her own baby shower. Now, based on the wording I am thinking she is just needed people's addresses. However, there is a proper way to go about this and a Facebook event is not the proper way.

Now, that being said, if the person throwing the shower (who should NOT be the bride or mother-to-be) decides to save paper and go with evites, I am totally ok with that. But receiving it from the Bride or Mother-to-Be is just wrong.

Here are my other two major pet peeves when it comes to etiquette.

1. Invitations are to be addressed by hand. Getting an invitation in the mail that has been sent through a printer is wrong. Even worse, when it's peel and stick labels.

2. White before Easter or after Labor Day. No way, Jose. I love Heidi Klum, but this is one rule that should not be broken either.

So, if any of the above apply to you then I will make fun and talk about you behind your back. I'm sorry, but it's just what I do. Except that is probably bad etiquette as well....

You Won't Catch Me

Nope. You're not going to catch me doing the following things this Summer.

1. Twilight. I don't do vampires. That also goes for vampire TV shows on The CW and HBO.

2. Harry Potter. The only potter I do is "Potter"y Barn. And I do enough there I don't need any other potter in my life.

3. The Bachelor/Bachelorette/or whatever lame reality show is currently on. In fact, I really don't do reality TV. I used to watch SYTYCD, but even that is lame now that they changed all the rules, etc. and so forth.

4. Tanning. You may see me at the beach, but that's just so I can burn. It's what I do.

5. Peeing on the beach. I leave that to More Lucy's kids. (There will be a whole blog post on this woman soon. If you're not reading her, start. She's the best thing blogging since sliced bread.)

6. Riding a bike. I don't have one.

7. Eating oysters. I don't like them. Raw or fried. Yuck.