Kelly, I want to ride with you! I have never been a good rider and am scared of animals generally, lol. But I think you would put me at ease and you would answer all my extremely detail oriented questions about what to do and how much the horse can really feel etc. It would be awesome. We could ride out to have a picnic and take sugar cubes in our pockets and put wild flowers in our hair... as long as they didn't have bugs on them.
What's new with the Whites? Well, we are having two interns from our church come stay with us for 10 weeks this summer. They're going to be in the basement which is nice so that everyone will have their own space. It's going to be busy. The house is great. I need to learn about gardening because I don't really know what to do and we have this nice area in the front that needs some work, but I don't really know where to start and I hate weeding.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
I miss you
I need to be with you both! I want a movie night with nail polish and pillows and chocolate. Maybe we could try a 3-way skype date?
Anyway, I know I was the last one to post, but that was in FEBRUARY and no one has posted since then. Time for an update!!
Since my last post, I still need a vacation, but thank God I'm still making money :)
Dallas was fine, I was sick the whole time. Sick for two weeks...still really fatigued easily, but on the mend.
The weather is warming up here. Getting into the high 50s during the day. Haven't taken the top down yet.
My mom had a pretty bad migraine this past week. She seems to be getting worse...unable to get over them as quickly, and feeling even more severe pain. Its so hard to watch her suffer and be helpless. I stayed home from work Monday to take care of her. Its the most challenging thing to my faith.
Even though I am still really frustrated and confused, Sarah you really encouraged me by challenging my perspective over a text a few weeks ago. You reminded me that I'm living parts of my dreams, with my horses, and Alex (or the potential of him) and modeling and everything. That was a good thing for me to hear. Thank you. I was telling my dad how much I love and appreciate and need your honesty in my life, and how much I respect your opinion.
And my faith has actually been pretty amazing lately, in terms of my affection for my Lord. Even though I'm still really bitter about my move, he's softened my heart towards him, and I find myself weeping or singing over any little thing related to him. My mind is more bent towards him, and my heart more focused on him. I don't know that I've been doing much different to have brought it on...but I have been trying to be in more open dialogue with him. Maybe thats what has helped.
All I know is that watching the Bible series on the History channel (if you didn't watch the miniseries, WATCH IT) was really good to renew my hunger for the scriptures. And Easter hit me hard this year. I could only weep over what Christ did on the cross.
Anyway, life is pretty much the same.
But not for SARAH!!! You own a HOUSE!!!! I mean....I don't even know what to say! I want to see pics! I know you are going to be busy moving in, but I want to see all your decorating themes!
I'm so happy for you :)
And Danielle is living life FREE and loving on people, and has a BOYFRIEND which she is tactfully playing down :)
Love you both so much. Please post!
Here are two things I wish I could have shared with you: a warm evening ride, and watching Pride and Prejudice on a snowy work-from-home day in March :)
Anyway, I know I was the last one to post, but that was in FEBRUARY and no one has posted since then. Time for an update!!
Since my last post, I still need a vacation, but thank God I'm still making money :)
Dallas was fine, I was sick the whole time. Sick for two weeks...still really fatigued easily, but on the mend.
The weather is warming up here. Getting into the high 50s during the day. Haven't taken the top down yet.
My mom had a pretty bad migraine this past week. She seems to be getting worse...unable to get over them as quickly, and feeling even more severe pain. Its so hard to watch her suffer and be helpless. I stayed home from work Monday to take care of her. Its the most challenging thing to my faith.
Even though I am still really frustrated and confused, Sarah you really encouraged me by challenging my perspective over a text a few weeks ago. You reminded me that I'm living parts of my dreams, with my horses, and Alex (or the potential of him) and modeling and everything. That was a good thing for me to hear. Thank you. I was telling my dad how much I love and appreciate and need your honesty in my life, and how much I respect your opinion.
And my faith has actually been pretty amazing lately, in terms of my affection for my Lord. Even though I'm still really bitter about my move, he's softened my heart towards him, and I find myself weeping or singing over any little thing related to him. My mind is more bent towards him, and my heart more focused on him. I don't know that I've been doing much different to have brought it on...but I have been trying to be in more open dialogue with him. Maybe thats what has helped.
All I know is that watching the Bible series on the History channel (if you didn't watch the miniseries, WATCH IT) was really good to renew my hunger for the scriptures. And Easter hit me hard this year. I could only weep over what Christ did on the cross.
Anyway, life is pretty much the same.
But not for SARAH!!! You own a HOUSE!!!! I mean....I don't even know what to say! I want to see pics! I know you are going to be busy moving in, but I want to see all your decorating themes!
I'm so happy for you :)
And Danielle is living life FREE and loving on people, and has a BOYFRIEND which she is tactfully playing down :)
Love you both so much. Please post!
Here are two things I wish I could have shared with you: a warm evening ride, and watching Pride and Prejudice on a snowy work-from-home day in March :)
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
quick one
Hi friends :)
I need a vacation.
But I won't complain, because I am grateful for the work I've had. Money in the bank!
Just wanted you both to know I love you lots. I'll post more when I have the time. Hopefully this weekend.
Unless some gorgeously handsome man asks me to spend Valentines with him, in which case I may not be available.
But lets be realistic. :)
I need a vacation.
But I won't complain, because I am grateful for the work I've had. Money in the bank!
Just wanted you both to know I love you lots. I'll post more when I have the time. Hopefully this weekend.
Unless some gorgeously handsome man asks me to spend Valentines with him, in which case I may not be available.
But lets be realistic. :)
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Houses
One last thing I forgot-- we are looking at houses on Sunday!!!!! Coming up on two years in Madison. Time to start putting that money towards equity... and a guest room!
Editing the Blog
Hey Ladies,
You are all admins, so if you want to modify anything or add anything, feel free. There are other cool backgrounds out there and fonts, etc. My only request is that we stay with one that is easy to read. No black background with white letters. It hurts my eyes. I like a simple layout, but I don't feel like we have to keep this exact one, so feel free to try things. I was hoping to find a cool black and white one, but the one I liked, you had to pay for. I wanted it to look modern, and it doesn't. So, feel free to modify. We can play around with it until we find something we all really like.
Have fun!
Sare
ps- I am excited about writing with you!
You are all admins, so if you want to modify anything or add anything, feel free. There are other cool backgrounds out there and fonts, etc. My only request is that we stay with one that is easy to read. No black background with white letters. It hurts my eyes. I like a simple layout, but I don't feel like we have to keep this exact one, so feel free to try things. I was hoping to find a cool black and white one, but the one I liked, you had to pay for. I wanted it to look modern, and it doesn't. So, feel free to modify. We can play around with it until we find something we all really like.
Have fun!
Sare
ps- I am excited about writing with you!
A Day in the Life
Today was a cool day.
I too have been in a drier than I would like season. This new year has been a little more hopeful and exciting for me in terms of faith. It's hard to live in Madison where it seems like no one shares my perspective on life and God and a whole lot of other things, although I have become more liberal myself in a lot of ways from living here. There are definitely people at our church who share my worldview, but no super bffs so far. Even in terms of things with our church, a lot of things have been at a stand still while we've been transitioning into new leadership, and I think the ball is finally going to get rolling. So that makes me more hopeful.
Caleb's grandparents got us the Jesus Calling book for Christmas, and I was pretty skeptical about it at first, but then I started to read it, and, although I don't agree with every single sentence, it has been really helpful for getting me to think about God more throughout the day and inviting God more into my daily life. Not at work yet because work is crazy, but in the things that you have to do that are hard.
For example, today I had to have a conversation with a good friend about some lifestyle choices and I was dreading it. My tendency is to want to control other people and make them do what I think is best for them. In order to compensate for that tendency, I can be way too accommodating. I asked Caleb for his advice on how to begin that kind of conversation and he said that I should make sure to say that I care about my friend, and also that I don't support these choices. I thought about what he said and prayed for help and spent some time preparing, and in the end, the conversation went a lot better than I thought it would and I learned a lot about my friend and saw more into her heart than I expected to. It was hard and sad, but it was deep and real, too.
Next thing, coffee date with another friend-- someone that I don't know very well at all. Learned a lot about her and was able to be a friend to her. She's going through things that I didn't know she was dealing with, so now I can follow up with her on those. Isn't it so funny how people are going through so much crap that you have no idea about? I just assume that what I see on the surface is the true reality. A first impression or even seeing someone a couple of times does not mean that you know them or what they are going through. Different people open up at different stages. I think I assume that everyone is fine because I know that usually if I'm not fine, I immediately tell people haha.
Then, went to my class. People in my class make jokes about Jesus and it really bugs me. The first time it happened, I chuckled along with the cohort. And then when I got in my car it hit me, "Oh my gosh, that wasn't cool. I should have said something. Why didn't I say something?" And then in another class, that first time got referenced, and then it got referenced and added on to in another class. Then last week, there was another minor incident. All this time, I have been wondering about what to do. Do I post something in our group saying what my beliefs are and could they please stop with the comments? Do I wait for the right moment to bring it up in class? I wanted to try to bring it up in class but in a non awkward way. Today at the coffee date with the second friend, we were talking about this issue because she had a similar experience at her job. I was asking her questions about it and I asked her if they knew what she believed. Then I thought that I should take my own advice and just tell them what I believe because it's better than being trampled on week after week. Why am I so afraid? I should just stand up for myself. So, last week we started a new class with a professor that we all really like, and this professor is more sympathetic to Christianity and faith in general than some of the other professors we've had. Tonight in class an opportunity came up for me to basically out myself as a Christian and it was terrifying, but now it's out there. And the best part is that I was talking to the prof after about the group, and he said that he had talked to individuals about the comments made last week, and because he was the one who addressed it, I don't think they will be made again, at least while he's our teacher and hopefully not ever again. But I was glad that I still said something, not about the comments, but in general about being a Christian before I knew that he had addressed the comments with the people who had been making them. Hopefully that makes sense.
So, a big day for me and God. And I like when these days come because they make me more hopeful that God is living and active in my life and in the world around me. And they give me hope for greater things, or even more small things to come. And it helps my faith to persist. Madison is a hard place to live for your faith. It should be a great place to live because there's so much opposition, but sometimes the fear gets you down. I just need to remember who I am and not be afraid of man. What's the point? Once I speak, either they will respect me for being different, or they will not. And if they don't like me because I'm a Christian, the better for me later on. Being honest about who you are is better. It's better to be open about it up front, or else I think you just get stuck being nice and hoping that it will come up. Like at my job. I just need to be more open about it and let it be a part of me like how everything else is. That I like food and snow and kids.
That's all for now. Kelly, did I really have a million saga dates???? Wow. And I'm pretty sure I invited you to be friends with all my friends like John and Caleb. Weird that I married Caleb-- one of my first Wheaton friends. Nobody was as good as the people I met right at the beginning. Caleb, Kel and D.
Keeping the faith,
Sarah
ps- the only thing that would have made today better was the brooch! it was a perfect day for it. But I guess that part of the point is that we have to write about suckish and normal days too... xoxo
I too have been in a drier than I would like season. This new year has been a little more hopeful and exciting for me in terms of faith. It's hard to live in Madison where it seems like no one shares my perspective on life and God and a whole lot of other things, although I have become more liberal myself in a lot of ways from living here. There are definitely people at our church who share my worldview, but no super bffs so far. Even in terms of things with our church, a lot of things have been at a stand still while we've been transitioning into new leadership, and I think the ball is finally going to get rolling. So that makes me more hopeful.
Caleb's grandparents got us the Jesus Calling book for Christmas, and I was pretty skeptical about it at first, but then I started to read it, and, although I don't agree with every single sentence, it has been really helpful for getting me to think about God more throughout the day and inviting God more into my daily life. Not at work yet because work is crazy, but in the things that you have to do that are hard.
For example, today I had to have a conversation with a good friend about some lifestyle choices and I was dreading it. My tendency is to want to control other people and make them do what I think is best for them. In order to compensate for that tendency, I can be way too accommodating. I asked Caleb for his advice on how to begin that kind of conversation and he said that I should make sure to say that I care about my friend, and also that I don't support these choices. I thought about what he said and prayed for help and spent some time preparing, and in the end, the conversation went a lot better than I thought it would and I learned a lot about my friend and saw more into her heart than I expected to. It was hard and sad, but it was deep and real, too.
Next thing, coffee date with another friend-- someone that I don't know very well at all. Learned a lot about her and was able to be a friend to her. She's going through things that I didn't know she was dealing with, so now I can follow up with her on those. Isn't it so funny how people are going through so much crap that you have no idea about? I just assume that what I see on the surface is the true reality. A first impression or even seeing someone a couple of times does not mean that you know them or what they are going through. Different people open up at different stages. I think I assume that everyone is fine because I know that usually if I'm not fine, I immediately tell people haha.
Then, went to my class. People in my class make jokes about Jesus and it really bugs me. The first time it happened, I chuckled along with the cohort. And then when I got in my car it hit me, "Oh my gosh, that wasn't cool. I should have said something. Why didn't I say something?" And then in another class, that first time got referenced, and then it got referenced and added on to in another class. Then last week, there was another minor incident. All this time, I have been wondering about what to do. Do I post something in our group saying what my beliefs are and could they please stop with the comments? Do I wait for the right moment to bring it up in class? I wanted to try to bring it up in class but in a non awkward way. Today at the coffee date with the second friend, we were talking about this issue because she had a similar experience at her job. I was asking her questions about it and I asked her if they knew what she believed. Then I thought that I should take my own advice and just tell them what I believe because it's better than being trampled on week after week. Why am I so afraid? I should just stand up for myself. So, last week we started a new class with a professor that we all really like, and this professor is more sympathetic to Christianity and faith in general than some of the other professors we've had. Tonight in class an opportunity came up for me to basically out myself as a Christian and it was terrifying, but now it's out there. And the best part is that I was talking to the prof after about the group, and he said that he had talked to individuals about the comments made last week, and because he was the one who addressed it, I don't think they will be made again, at least while he's our teacher and hopefully not ever again. But I was glad that I still said something, not about the comments, but in general about being a Christian before I knew that he had addressed the comments with the people who had been making them. Hopefully that makes sense.
So, a big day for me and God. And I like when these days come because they make me more hopeful that God is living and active in my life and in the world around me. And they give me hope for greater things, or even more small things to come. And it helps my faith to persist. Madison is a hard place to live for your faith. It should be a great place to live because there's so much opposition, but sometimes the fear gets you down. I just need to remember who I am and not be afraid of man. What's the point? Once I speak, either they will respect me for being different, or they will not. And if they don't like me because I'm a Christian, the better for me later on. Being honest about who you are is better. It's better to be open about it up front, or else I think you just get stuck being nice and hoping that it will come up. Like at my job. I just need to be more open about it and let it be a part of me like how everything else is. That I like food and snow and kids.
That's all for now. Kelly, did I really have a million saga dates???? Wow. And I'm pretty sure I invited you to be friends with all my friends like John and Caleb. Weird that I married Caleb-- one of my first Wheaton friends. Nobody was as good as the people I met right at the beginning. Caleb, Kel and D.
Keeping the faith,
Sarah
ps- the only thing that would have made today better was the brooch! it was a perfect day for it. But I guess that part of the point is that we have to write about suckish and normal days too... xoxo
Life as a seaside diva inland
It is pouring cats and dogs here. Has been for over a week. Everything is wet. None of my boots are waterproof. Just snow proof apparently. But that doesn't help me here.
I'll comment on what I recall from 2007. I blocked out much of that year....its actually amazing how much I have forgotten. But there are a few bright spots that made it through the shutters.
I recall the first time I saw Sarah. It was a day much like today- dark and pouring rain. She came straight from Honeyrock. She had on a hoodless sweatshirt, I think it was a green color. She was wet and frazzled. Looking back now I can only imagine what I must have appeared with my stuff exploded around the room- enough stuff for 2 rooms. She graciously stepped over my shoe mounds to grab a few items and rush back out to meet friends. And I thought "She already has friends. Great." Because in all honesty, I'd expected her to be my best friend. Thats all I knew of college roommates. You loved them or hated them, or so I'd been told. And we'd had a conversation that summer, and I'd already decided I liked her. So we must be friends. Then I met Danielle. Her mom was talking to my parents, all smiles. Then this little girl came in with big eyes and a big smile and hugged me three times before I said hello. When I did greet her, she squealed and said "Oh my gosh I love your accent!!!!!" And I wasn't sure what accent she meant. If anything, where I was from, I was admired for not having one at all. Then she proceeded to hug me a few hundred more times, and I knew I wanted to be her friend.
I remember naps at all times of the day, Sarah sitting at her desk to read a book instead of sitting on her bed, D coming in to talk, complaining about losing sleep over raids, Sarah's endless saga dates, my physical (and mental) decline, learning about celiacs, etc. What a year! The rest is history.
Fast forward through the best and hardest 4 years. We were united from 3 different locations...still united in 3 different locations. I wish we were together, but this outlet and phone calls must suffice.
I'm on my 17th day straight without a day off. Tomorrow will be my 18th. Hopefully I'll get Saturday off.
Whats new with me:
I'm on my second week of accutane. I feel the affects already. So dry...lips are always dry. My skin is getting worse (always gets worse before it gets better with Accutane).
I haven't been consistent in reading my Bible since the new year. Last year I was doing the 52 week reading plan. I didn't start it this year. I feel it...that I'm off the horse...and need to get back on. I was finally able to recognize that I'm in a wilderness- naming it was 50% of my problem. I know how to handle wilderness seasons. I dont know how to handle expecting to be in a lush green spring season and finding myself in a winter season. When I felt God telling me to move home, I thought he had great plans for me here. Great in my opinion at least. So my confusion and frustration were debilitating to my faith. I felt God had played a cruel joke on me, or let me down. I'm now learning better. Prayer appreciated.
That day at Jamba was a happy one for me, even if it was bittersweet. I love you both tremendously. Sorry it took me so long to post! If yall will be consistent, I will be!
I'll comment on what I recall from 2007. I blocked out much of that year....its actually amazing how much I have forgotten. But there are a few bright spots that made it through the shutters.
I recall the first time I saw Sarah. It was a day much like today- dark and pouring rain. She came straight from Honeyrock. She had on a hoodless sweatshirt, I think it was a green color. She was wet and frazzled. Looking back now I can only imagine what I must have appeared with my stuff exploded around the room- enough stuff for 2 rooms. She graciously stepped over my shoe mounds to grab a few items and rush back out to meet friends. And I thought "She already has friends. Great." Because in all honesty, I'd expected her to be my best friend. Thats all I knew of college roommates. You loved them or hated them, or so I'd been told. And we'd had a conversation that summer, and I'd already decided I liked her. So we must be friends. Then I met Danielle. Her mom was talking to my parents, all smiles. Then this little girl came in with big eyes and a big smile and hugged me three times before I said hello. When I did greet her, she squealed and said "Oh my gosh I love your accent!!!!!" And I wasn't sure what accent she meant. If anything, where I was from, I was admired for not having one at all. Then she proceeded to hug me a few hundred more times, and I knew I wanted to be her friend.
I remember naps at all times of the day, Sarah sitting at her desk to read a book instead of sitting on her bed, D coming in to talk, complaining about losing sleep over raids, Sarah's endless saga dates, my physical (and mental) decline, learning about celiacs, etc. What a year! The rest is history.
Fast forward through the best and hardest 4 years. We were united from 3 different locations...still united in 3 different locations. I wish we were together, but this outlet and phone calls must suffice.
I'm on my 17th day straight without a day off. Tomorrow will be my 18th. Hopefully I'll get Saturday off.
Whats new with me:
I'm on my second week of accutane. I feel the affects already. So dry...lips are always dry. My skin is getting worse (always gets worse before it gets better with Accutane).
I haven't been consistent in reading my Bible since the new year. Last year I was doing the 52 week reading plan. I didn't start it this year. I feel it...that I'm off the horse...and need to get back on. I was finally able to recognize that I'm in a wilderness- naming it was 50% of my problem. I know how to handle wilderness seasons. I dont know how to handle expecting to be in a lush green spring season and finding myself in a winter season. When I felt God telling me to move home, I thought he had great plans for me here. Great in my opinion at least. So my confusion and frustration were debilitating to my faith. I felt God had played a cruel joke on me, or let me down. I'm now learning better. Prayer appreciated.
That day at Jamba was a happy one for me, even if it was bittersweet. I love you both tremendously. Sorry it took me so long to post! If yall will be consistent, I will be!
Friday, January 4, 2013
The Birth of the Brooch
This is the story of three best friends who wish they could still share daily life together.
The story begins years ago, in 2007, when we met at Wheaton College. We were all very different people then. We were also very different from each other. Double D was tormented by her chemistry homework next door. Kel was putting quotes on every surface of our dorm room. I was... well, someone else can describe me.
Brought together by Wheaton housing authorities (or God) we went through a lot together, and did all the things that college girls do in stories like this-- laughed, cried, ate delicious food, talked about boys, went to Chicago, watched movies, hosted Christmas parties, went to D's for spring break, etc. We also went through less ordinary things like deaths in the family, hospital trips, and my wedding.
One day in late summer 2012, we were sitting outside the Jamba Juice/Caribou by Butterfield Rd. It was the last time we were going to be together for the foreseeable future. Kelly was moving back to NC, and I already lived in Madison. Kelly was dressed like a movie star with a white sleeveless top and a white, wide-brimmed sunhat with a black ribbon. We had just come from a park that was packed with soccer kids' families and cars and ended up at the Jamba Juice patio for lack of anywhere else to go sit and talk. We didn't even have drinks. We were just savoring the time together. I can't remember what we talked about, but I remember feeling the happiest I had felt in a long time.
Somehow, while we were talking in British accents, as we have been known to do on occasion, someone brought up the word "brooch" (said in the voice of an old British woman). We were looking for an object that we could mail back and forth that wouldn't be as expensive as jeans. We don't wear the same size anyway (and neither did those actors in that movie!). A brooch seemed like just the thing.
And so it began. We went over to TJ Maxx and tried to find one that day, but had no such luck. We went to Charming Charlie's. I sent photos out when I got to Madison of several I had on hand (haha that was a funny sentence!). Kelly got the brooch first to help her with the move. Now D has it. Someday I will get it. Hopefully before the winter is over. How are we going to wear it in the summer I wonder...
.JPG)
The story begins years ago, in 2007, when we met at Wheaton College. We were all very different people then. We were also very different from each other. Double D was tormented by her chemistry homework next door. Kel was putting quotes on every surface of our dorm room. I was... well, someone else can describe me.
Brought together by Wheaton housing authorities (or God) we went through a lot together, and did all the things that college girls do in stories like this-- laughed, cried, ate delicious food, talked about boys, went to Chicago, watched movies, hosted Christmas parties, went to D's for spring break, etc. We also went through less ordinary things like deaths in the family, hospital trips, and my wedding.
One day in late summer 2012, we were sitting outside the Jamba Juice/Caribou by Butterfield Rd. It was the last time we were going to be together for the foreseeable future. Kelly was moving back to NC, and I already lived in Madison. Kelly was dressed like a movie star with a white sleeveless top and a white, wide-brimmed sunhat with a black ribbon. We had just come from a park that was packed with soccer kids' families and cars and ended up at the Jamba Juice patio for lack of anywhere else to go sit and talk. We didn't even have drinks. We were just savoring the time together. I can't remember what we talked about, but I remember feeling the happiest I had felt in a long time.
Somehow, while we were talking in British accents, as we have been known to do on occasion, someone brought up the word "brooch" (said in the voice of an old British woman). We were looking for an object that we could mail back and forth that wouldn't be as expensive as jeans. We don't wear the same size anyway (and neither did those actors in that movie!). A brooch seemed like just the thing.
And so it began. We went over to TJ Maxx and tried to find one that day, but had no such luck. We went to Charming Charlie's. I sent photos out when I got to Madison of several I had on hand (haha that was a funny sentence!). Kelly got the brooch first to help her with the move. Now D has it. Someday I will get it. Hopefully before the winter is over. How are we going to wear it in the summer I wonder...
.JPG)
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