Fuzzy wuzzy, wasn't very fuzzy was he?

I'm just waking up from an afternoon nap. ahhhhh! I think I really needed it! I can usually tell when a MUST HAVE nap is coming on because a headache starts to creep into the back of my temples....

But, now I'm sitting on my couch with a quilt, and my Brett Bear Waterbottle, finishing but my bible study for tonight...

This weekend has been pretty eventful-not so much in my own life but in my intercessory life...meaning the people that I pray for the most just got bumped up a couple of notches and I'm struck once again for the need to spend time in prayer on a daily basis for those I care about.

But, since all of that is very vague and not very blog-interesting how about I give you a review of the two movies I saw this weekend? Sound good?

Marley and Me. Now, my bro-in-law gave Brett and I this book on CD for our drive from Washington to Kansas many moons ago and we loved it! We laughed, we cried ( seriously, we both did!) and it was definitely a great little book. The movie, I must admit was also good at capturing the way in which life can take us in directions that we didn't expect, and that some of the sacrifices we make, for family and for those we love, can make that different direction turn into the life we truly love and would not give up....all through the story of a family dog no less! I will say this, though...the book did a much better job of capturing Marley's admirable and sometimes truly humanizing acts of love...while the movie focused more on how crazy and out of control the dog could also be.
Watch the movie, bring some tissues....read the book and bring the whole BOX of tissues. Your choice.


On saturday I watched another movie based on a book, He's just not that into you. And while this movie had some very clever moments and made one laugh at the many lies that we often tell our friends just to make them feel better...over all this movie had waaaay too many cringe worthy scenes and focused on the sadder more terrible decisions of the Love and War of relationships then on the positive and more uplifting " exceptions" to the terrible "rule"....I spent the middle part of the movie trying to distract myself with checking my emails on my phone, it was that hard to watch! If you want to watch this movie I suggest renting it when it comes out on video and fastforwarding every scene with Scarlett Johanson ( who I just found out has the same birthday is me...but is a year younger. that's weird. I don't like her. She always plays cheating hussies in her films).

Ten things

I haven't done one of these in a while:

10 Things that make me happy:

1. My new camelbak water bottle. Although since buying it at 6pm this evening I've peed four times. Waaay more than normal.
2. My friend, Amy B. I hung out with her tonight and she made me laugh and she made me feel less weird. Mostly because she's weird too...but whatever.
3. My fireplace. Have I mentioned how it just TURNS ON when the room gets too cold ( and the thermostat is on)? How AWESOME!
4. Twizzler Pull and Peel. Cherry flavored. I like to peel them apart and then braid them. Oh. And then eat them.
5. Phone calls from phone numbers that only have six digits. Those are always from Brett.
6. The thought of sun. I'm pretty much obsessed with blue sky. I wake up, pull back my blinds and look at the sky. If its blue than it WILL be a good day.
7. The Fort Lewis movie theatre. $2 a new release movie and a stirring rendition of the Star Spangled Banner in Chipmunk voices to start the movie off...
8. Double Tall Soy Lattes. I had two today.
9. Planning Brett's R&R ( rest and relaxation...the "mid-tour break"...although its not going to be "mid")...even though I can't really plan it. I like to think about it. A Lot.
10. The Navigator Girls. I'm loving getting to know them and think of ways to make life better for them! It gets me up in the morning.

The best ever.

I just got off the phone with Brett...its after midnight and I really need to go to bed and get my beauty sleep for my second day of baby sitting for the week. But, before I go to bed a little bragging must be done:

Brett is the greatest writer ever and today I got a wonderful letter in the mail in a red envelope. I actually gasped when I saw it in the mail box. He's the only person that makes me gasp like that.

He wrote me a poem for our anniversary and he included the hardcopy in this letter....he uses the word "law-zee" in it...which I'm pretty sure is only used on the Andy Griffith Show....but yes, he was able to incorporate it into poetry. He's amazing. And I got to marry him.

And all the heavens declared... impromptu is good!

My goodness! Today was glorious! There are definitely times when life is just worth living ( isn't that good to hear?! heheh!)

Today I had my quiet time in bed and wrote Brett a letter on my new stationary that I'm loving....

I then had an impromptu lunch with Katie ( her work is seriously steps away from my front door....) which is really so delightful and reinforces the idea that I did, in fact, move into the right apartment. ;-)

My lunch collided with Amy arriving at my door and we then headed off for a walk down to a trail that overlooks Puget Sound. Glorious glorious day, people. Seriously, it was up to 60 degrees and the sun was shining and the wonders of God's creation ( particularly the mountains and the ocean) where a blaze with light. So Amy and I walked and talked until our legs almost feel off.
A note should now be made that we walked FIVE MILES and that Amy is PREGGERS and not just a little bit preggers she's up on six months pregnant. Seriously. She's a super hero.

I then rushed off to a lunch date with one of the girls from Bible Study who couldn't make it and so we just had to grab a coffee ( she is also a super hero because she's been working nights for the past few weeks and has yet to go completely insane...I honestly don't know how people do it!!).

And now I'm writing this, hoping Brett will call so that I can share this beautiful day with him....he was the only thing missing.

And then I was off to the Tacoma water front where I met up with Judy for dinner...now I've been looking forward to this for AGES, ever since she contacted me when I first moved to Washington the first time around.....Judy is one of those "puzzle pieces" of my own life and legacy since she went to college with the Parents and the Second Parents and it made me realize that the name of the conference that I'm going to next weekend which is called "Spiritual Generations" is actually played out in my own life! I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful legacy and it is an honor to try to live up to what has been laid as my foundation. And since Judy is one of my loyal blog readers I hope she knows how much FUN it was to meet her and chat and to know we have the greatest of All in common! :-)

Memory

Today I played the game "memory" with a two year old. Basically it was a game of "identify objects" because I just laid out one half of the pairs facing up, on the ground and held the other half in my hand and then I'd hand the two year old the card and say, "find the matching *fill in the blank*"
At first he'd always say, "I do sees it!!" Where?! " and then just when I thought he'd given up interest all together he'd spy the rocketship or the birthday cake ( random pictures!) and he'd laugh and laugh and say "OOOoooOOH there it is!"

I feel like there's an analogy in there somewhere but I'm too tired to find it. So I'll leave that up to you guys.

In other news, I ended up watching TV in the middle of the day today. This was a first after being here a month. I feel like that's a sign that I should seriously get a job. ( HELLO!?! Universe?! Where's my job!?!?!) But, really it was just a fluke. I had plans this afternoon but they called and canceled. So see?! It wasn't my fault I watched that episode of Alias where they finally take down SD-6 (season 2 baby! this is when the show started to get weird!)...

I have instigated a prayer meeting before Bible Study on Tuesdays. So far not many people are coming. It reminds me of my days of starting 1pm prayer back in Uni. And I am encouraged that even the prayers of one or two are heard in heaven. I am excited that once again we have the chance to see prayers being answered and at the same time reminded that we are NOT doing this in our own strength!!

All I want right now is a Little Caesars Pizza. I've been wanting one for like a week now and today I thought I'd sudate my craving my getting a personal pan pizza at Pizza Hut. Not. the. Same.
Now I want my LC even MORE! ( and I don't mean Lauren Conrad from the Hills...geez people, keep up!)

A life verse.

I got my Life Verse when I was 18.

And I'm gonna go ahead and call it a "life verse" because I don't see it dropping out of significance any time soon....

Today Amy and I did research. Or should I say I blindly googled and got no where and she contacted her "journalist friends" and found answers. She's seriously SO handy to have around...she researches my possible Future Life on the internet and I research her possible Future Life by actually living ( the army seems bent upon sending her husband on a MiT team too)...annnyway, the point of this story is that I have been feeling this unsettled feeling all day. I think its mostly the fact that my dearest and nearest here in Washington all seem to be laying Life Changing news at my door, reminding me that we just never know what's gonna happen.

To catch you up on the 'practical lives' of Brett and Abigail-we're currently waiting for the Powers That Be ( how do I get that job?!?) to tell us if Brett will get to stay in the infantry when he gets back from Afghanistan or will he will be changing to the Transportation Corp....and all of a sudden this is starting to feel real

I can't tell you how helpless I feel when the person I love the most is at the mercy at the people I hate most of all.

But, then I remember my Life Verse:

The LORD replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."
Then Moses said to him, "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?"
And the LORD said to Moses, "I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name."
Ex. 33:14-16

It puts things in perspective doesn't it? It reminds me for one that that the Powers That Be are actually not that powerful afterall...AND it reminds me that no matter WHERE Brett and I go in a little over nine months the only thing that really matters is that His Presence will go with us.

And He will.

Friends, there is nothing to fear when He is the one who goes before you. I can attest to the fact that He will go with you even if you go to the opposite side of the world where you know no one. And He'll go with you if you go back to a hometown where you think you've got nothing going for you, and He'll go with you to a place that's scary and outside your comfort zone and He'll go with you to places you never saw yourself and places that you'd never thought you'd be and through it all He'll provide. He'll give you Friends when you're lonely, He'll give you direction when you're :ost, He'll give you provisions when you're Poor ( of spirit and body!), He'll give Love and He'll give Rest and above all in every place under the sun He will show Himself to be all that and More.

I know this to be true and I know it will continue to be the case. I do not know what God has in the future for Brett and I-and I suppose that's why thinking about it makes me all flummoxed in my tummy-because ultimately God has said:

"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matt 6:33-34

Amazing Feats

So, I made "Puppy Chow" ( the glorious Chex Cereal mix that combines the perfect tastes of chocolate, peanut butter and pure sugar in a marriage of unending love) for my Sunday Night Bible Study's "Soup-er-Bowl party" ( which incidentally was followed by our usual bible study, its great living on the west coast where the super bowl is in the middle of the afternoon! )

Annnyway, so I got into the car, placed the large bowl of Puppy Chow on the seat next to me and headed on down the road only to have my happy driving interrupted two seconds later when my car starts beeping as though a bomb was about to go off in my car. That's right, friends. I made SO MUCH SUGARY GOODNESS that it was heavy enough for my car to think that another person was sitting in the passanger seat and that "said person" needed to put their seat belt on.
So, of course, I strapped in my Choco-peanut Love Fest and we thus made it safely to our destination.

Seriously though?

Apparently I brought a child-sized desert to the event, excessive much? ( But, this is what happens when I'm left alone on a Saturday night)....But, no harm done.... it was ALL GONE at the end of the night.
Now that, my friends is sweet.

All Aboard the Crazy Train!

I am not in the habit of re-reading my blog ( at least not for a while after its been written). But, I have the sneaking suspicions that if I did in fact, reread my recent posts I'd just go ahead and pull myself out of commission.
Luckily, I do not do the whole re-read thing...and therefore I continue on in the desperate attempt to do this whole "living life" thing as best as possible.

This morning I woke up at 6:15am with a serious pain in my side. Now, just so you know...pretty much ever kidney stone I've ever had ( and I've had my unfair share...) has woken me up around the 6am hour....anyway, this pain was not that intense, but it did freak me out and make me feel very very paranoid about the possibility that if it DID get worse, what would I do?! Who would I call?!?

So, I got up, got half-way-decent-dressed, put shoes by my bed...put my backup hardcore meds on my bedside table, got a little grocery sack to throw up in ( I've done this a few times, people!), decided who I'd call to drive me to the emergency room and then went back to bed...I woke up 2 and a half hours later with a niggling feeling still in my lower abdomen but nothing too serious....

Honestly! This is what I do!?!

It does make me wonder though, I mean, this pain is more reminiscent of my endometriosis which made its debut as a "weird long lasting kidney stone" back in Early 2005 and then continued on into 2006...but then, last year, its like it just disappeared! I thought it was some sort of miracle change of body chemistry ( apparently this happens) but now I'm thinking it might be more to do with stress. Not that I didn't have any stress last year-but maybe I was more stressed the years before and then now?! Or maybe its just me being alone again? ( ha!)
Either way, I've lost 5 pounds in about two weeks.....so I'm a winner right? ( sarcasm intended).

*sigh* Al that aside, I've had a pretty satisfying day today. Had coffee with a girl ( I only have two more to go and I'll have gone through all the girls I need to do a preliminary meet! yay!) which turned into a lovely chat...and then I returned home and bought tickets to the Navigator Conference coming up in New York....this is a conference that I decidedly did NOT want to go to because...well....the first time I went I was well and truly freaked out...and while I didn't expect it to freak me out this time around ( ahhhh! How I've grown! hehehe!)....to be honest I was just tired of traveling around and tired of 'learning' ( bad attitude, Abigail!)....but after my desperate attempts to have a good reason NOT to go where all shot down by the people that I respect a lot...I gave in, and now I'm genuinely excited!
There are three ( maybe four) other girls going...and each one them I think the conference will be both challenging and eye-opening and maybe just as scary as it was for me the first time around ( and it still is to some degree!) so I'm looking forward to sharing it with them...besides, this year was suppose to be about me learning more, ministry speaking, and what better way than this conference!?

So, yes, mark your calendars...looks like I'll be spending my Valentines Day in New York State! ( probably for the best since I'm doubting the day would be that special otherwise...ahhhh! deployment....)

Done

So, today I did in fact talk to several people....because, lets face it, I'd have to seriously go on vacation and someone would have to release my phone from my cold and clammy palm before I REALLY was off the radar!
But, today was good.....not like extraordinary and no miracles occurred. But, I know that the Lord was with me all day and sometimes its nice to just stop and talk to Him for a while.

Things that happened:

I had a surprising request from someone who wants to "disciple" me. I did not see it coming to be honest and do not quite know how to proceed. Let's just say I'm still praying about this one...

I had a surprise phonecall from Brett this morning which was good-since, lets face it-this whole long distance marriage thing is starting to take a serious toll on us both...

I finished buying up things for Brett's February Box of Love. ( actually its not terribly romantic...some of the things for the box included two study books for the GRE, the masters programs admittance test. ew.) But, that's a cool name for a box so we'll go with it.... Those of you who want to know some facts about box sending it'll be at the end of this post***

I went and watched the movie Bride Wars....and I cried. I mean, I know that it was suppose to be a romantic comedy and I did in fact laugh out loud several times...but I cried at the ending ( a little bit before that too...) and that's when I realized I might be seriously going crazy.

I had two quiet times.

I broke my days fast with Indian food and a glass of Red ( which totally broke my "don't drink alone" rule...but I figure since I'm telling you about it, and since the whole day was about me being alone...you'll forgive me.

To be honest I'm still a bit melancholy, but I know that my life is not in my own hands-which is a very comforting thought. Tomorrow is a brand new day! And I will try extra hard not to do everything in my own strength!

**For those of you who have sent baked goods to Brett, or who would like to send them in the future. So far they have all arrived without too much destruction. From what I understand the best way to go is to pack the cookies in small groups in ziploc bags with paper towels ( to keep them moist) and then use other packing means ( whether that be inside another, smaller box or tin...or just using packing supplies) to make sure they are as secure as possible to reduce breakage.
Brett has only had great things to say about the baked goods that he's received so far...and really ALL your wonderful letters, pictures, packages and prayers have been a delight and blessing to him. We are REALLY blessed to have such wonderful friends and family! In fact, Lindsay even had her elementary school class send Brett cards ( awesome!) which he thought was really great!

An introverted extrovert

That's me.
I think it really surprises people sometimes when I say that I'm an introvert. And really, its probably not even really true. Its just that one of the main definitions of being an extrovert is that you are rejuvenated and built up by people. This is not the case with me! I'm pretty much the worse combination of personality types possible since its pretty much against my nature to turn down a party or a conversation or a coffee date or pretty much anything that anyone asks me to be a part of-I'm totally there for every second and " yes please! I WOULD like to be the "center" of whatever your doing!"
Yet, when I leave said coffee or I hang up the phone or I leave the party ( and probably the last one to leave at that!) I am tired and not just physically tired, but MENTALLY tired!

So, after a full on week last week and a pretty full on week this week ( so far! Apparently its only Wednesday night-but from what's gone down already this week-you'd think it was February so much has happened!)...I've decided to take a mini-holiday.

I'm not really sure how well that's gonna work since I don't have much self-control in this area but I going to try not to reply to emails, text messages or answer my phone and I'm going to try really really hard not to have lunch or coffee with anyone ( no matter how great the person is or no matter HOW much I want to talk to them.)
*sigh*
I need to go against my own desires for a "constant party" and stop to take a reprieve.

I think it when I burst into tears this evening and sobbed for a good two minutes that I got the "clue" that I did NOT in fact have it all together.

And to end this post, here are some verses that have struck me today and maybe tomorrow I'll actually take the time to ponder them and not just rush through and on to the next thing....

They had not celebrated..in great numbers as is prescribed" 2 Chrn. 30:5b

The Lord your God is gracious and compassionate, and will not turn His face away from you if you return to Him. 2 Chrn 30: 9

The hand of God was also on Judah to give them one heart to do what the king had commanded by the word of the Lord. 2 Chrn 30:12

Behold God is my salvation
I will trust and not be afraid
For the Lord God is my strength and song
And He has become my salvation....
Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name.
Make known His deeds among the peoples.
Make them remember that His name is Exalted.
Is. 12:2,4

Its not you, its me...

Today, I had the most blah day known to man. Mostly because of my own silliness and completely because of my own big fat mouth....
Remember how I told you about the great conversation and wonderful encouragement that I got from my weekend conference a while back?! Well, turns out some of the things that I was asking advice and help about were woven into some serious drama and hurt for my leaders here at Fort Lewis. I feel pretty much AWFUL about it and its a long story, but lets just say that I'm bummed and that I've been reminded that no matter how old I think I am ( maturity wise) there is ALWAYS something for me to learn and there is ALWAYS a plethora of mistakes for me to make...

Thank goodness I have great and gracious friends who forgive me and love me and laugh at me when the situation arises.

I totally forgot!

One of the weirdest things about living in Washington, so close to Mount Rainier, is that it is often cloudy/foggy for so many days in a row that you forget its there...and then one day you wake up, drive to the commissary and on the way you turn a corner and BAM! There it is....and all you can say is, 'whoa'

In response to this weekend:

... by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created through Him and for Him. ( Col 1:16)

caffeine high

So, today I took a big deep breath.
Of course, I had no choice really....I was an hour long drive thru line for my meds at Madiagan Hospital ( you'd THINK the drive thru would be faster than the inside pharmacy...you'd be wrong). But, anyway, I took the time to sit in my car with the music up nice and loud...and thanks to my wonderful/fabulous phone I was able to do the following:
-texts some invites for this evenings wii tournament
-reply to several emails
-put some new appointments into my calendar.
-Read chapter 3 of Genesis as part of my preparation for bible study on sunday
-catch up on some blogs
-text some people about coming to church on Sunday
-call my sister
-play a few iphone games

Nice....I don't know what I use to do without my phone! Man, that must have been lame. ;-)

In other news, remember how I was bemoaning the fact that I still hadn't been able to pursue job openings like I had planned? Well, yesterday I woke praying....I felt overcommited and a bit stressed-but my day turned out GREAT! My first coffee date was at Starbucks......the day before I had tried to no avail to get to a starbucks to pick up their application to fill out....and there I was for a coffee date! So I picked one up on the way out the door! And then on to my next coffee date of the day....which was at the Forzas Coffee place in Dupont ( a short walk from my front door)...where I was able to drop off my resume and cover letter on my way in for my coffee date! YAY!
And THEN my coffee date this MORNING was at Starbucks again, but this time it was at the Starbucks that I actually want to apply at, so I was able to drop off my filled out application. WOO!
Isn't that splendid?!
I was able to do all the ministry things that I wanted to do, PLUS do the personal things that I really wanted to get done...It was just nice confirmation that even if I don't get a job, I know that God has a hand in everything I do...

Now, I know, I know...you're probably all marveling about how many times I have coffee in a day...and believe me I think its pretty intense too! But, I promise...I really doubt its gonna be this hardcore for the rest of the year...right now I'm just trying to make sure I meet up with all the girls that I need to ( and that's quite a few!), to make sure i get a good feel for what's going on and what everyone needs....so far, its been a blast! I've been praying for these girls for a few weeks now and I feel like there is a LOT of cool things that have the potential to happen this year! I'm in over my head...but just exactly where i want to be. :-)

I'm pretty sure I need to go back to decafe though...I feel off the wagon this week...but my sleep is suffering big time!! My poor body is not use to three coffees in one day! hahaha

In my spare time I'll get a job....

So, today I was suppose to turn in a resume and a letter to a coffee house in town that I'd really like to work at plus pick up an application at another one...but my day was filled in different ways....instead a friend in need spent the night with me and I then took her to pick up her car to get it worked on...followed by an afternoon of baby-registering ( something that is fun and also educational for someone like me without a child...I nearly hyperventilated when we got to the "pump and baby bottle aisle"...whaaaat?! Where is the manual on raising a baby when you need it!?! But, I'm happy to say that Amy is far more prepared than I'd be and therefore I'm glad SHE'S doing it first...I'm definitely learning a lot from her already!!) But, even though I didn't get what I was SUPPOSE to do today done, I was very much happy that I could be there for moral support and picture taking at Baby Registry Day...

But, then I came home and crashed. Thus, no application turning in just yet. AND on top of that...sigh....I don't know when I'm going to do it tomorrow either since I've got a coffee followed closely by me babysitting for a friend followed by another coffee....geez. I'm kinda wondering if its SELFISH to get a job! ( I hope you know that while I write that sentence I'm saying "pleasepleaseplease let me get a job!" in my head.)

I'm not giving up just yet. I've got several more days in the week left for me to "put myself out there"....and while I'm at it I'm tempted to go ahead and add "multiple coffee dates per day" as one of my skills...come on, people! That's gotta be worth something ;-)

Obama

HAHAHAHA! Just kidding! I'm not going to talk about the new president of the US....its just that so far today EVERY blog that I read has made mention, so I didn't want to feel left out.

I'm currently procrastinating writing a cover letter for my resume that I plan to hand out tomorrow....blah. I hate cover letters.
I hate resumes. I hate job hunting.

What I loooove is that I can now plug my iphone ( and my ipod) into my car...and listen to music through my stereo...but THAT'S NOT ALL!!!! When my phone rings, or when I get a text message, the music fads away and the phone rings or dings ( depending on the message type) THROUGH the stereo! No missed calls for Abigail! Way to love technology!

Introducing: "fancy pants apartment" ( come visit!)

The Swing

I feel like its been so long since I've posted a post worth posting-but the only way to make that happen again is practice practice practice. ( or something).

So, without further ado. My weekend at the Navigator "Ignite" Conference. It was basically a gathering of the NorthWest Navigator ministries, mostly geared towards the campus ministries, but with workshops and such- with a lot of input from the Seattle Metro ministries...and of course the Military ministry provided....ummmm....we provided the most people, and the LOUDEST people ( our group was definitely the most opinionated, outspoken group of the bunch...)-which doesn't it make sense that I'd be a part of that group?!

The weekend turned out to be personally rewarding not because of the main speaker, or the worship or the really awesome food or "goodie bags" or even the fabulous hotel...I got the most out of talking with the Navigator staff members who were there at the conference, I learned about some of the other ministries that the Navs have to offer and I was delighted to find that I can now recommend any number of options to people who want to get plugged into a Christian community that is going to be Bible based and discipleship focused...options that pretty much meet people in ALL sorts of walks and seasons of life. Pretty cool!


This weekend I also felt affirmation that my desire to see more prayer within the Fort Lewis ministry was definitely something that needs to happen and that I should not be afraid to do what I can to see that into a reality. I have always felt passionate about prayer, but I have felt a re-igniting of that over the past few weeks and this weekend was big encouragement that I needed...
Funny story, I was assigned to lead a small group discussion at the end of each day of the conference and the first night I arrived at my small group to find that I had an older guy mixed in with my girls. Weird. But I just went with it ( apparently all the groups were suppose to be a "mix" but mine was a bit one sided)....I then went ahead with what I had planned and ended my small group with a prayer time and before we prayed I made a small little appeal for them to not be afraid to sit and silence and just listen to what the Holy Spirit might have to say ( I've found that there is a sad lack of 'waiting upon the lord' up here)....weeelllll, it didn't take very long into the prayer time to realize that this dude could pray(!) and lucky for me ( or I would NOT have made my lame-o appeal about prayer ) I found out AFTER the group was over for the night that this dude was Nav Staff and he and his wife were running the workshop on Prayer the next day! HA!
Anyway, I went to their workshop and it was SO wonderful to hear what they had to say...sometimes even just hearing Truths you know, but haven't heard spoken out loud in a while is JUST what the heart needs ....
The next night the Dude brought his wife along to our small group study and we got to talking about the Fort Lewis girls ministry....I am now excited that I have this new contact close by ( they run the Spectrum Asian American ministry in Seattle) that I can us as an added resource and encouragement this year! I feel like this is just ONE MORE affirmation that the Lord is here with me and that He WILL not just leave me to my own devises...but that my desire to learn more about ministry is really going to happen! I think I might actually get TAUGHT! Woo hoo!

The other great thing about this weekend was just getting to spend some more quality time with a hand full ( only four of us went) of the girls.... especially with Katie, who is a dear friend who I have missed so much over the past six months!

So, all in all, it was a perfect weekend and all that I could have wanted as a nice "kick off" to my time here at Fort Lewis.

The other thing I decided over the weekend was how I want to start my job search:
Three resumes...three coffee shops ( that's the ones here in Dupont, and yes that includes the Evil Corporation)....praying hard and hope for an opening!

24 (hours)

I'm currently watching 24 on DVD with Bethany...in my living room....you know what THIS means?! It means my computer is working again.

Those Apple Genius people are my heros. I didn't have to buy anything ( at least not yet).

I'll be blogging again very soon!

boring facts.

I'm currently using the Fancy-Pants Club House computers. And even though I don't really have anything to blog about I thought I'd drop you a line nonetheless just so you wouldn't forget me.

I'm hoping against hope that I will have my own computer sorted out over the weekend and I'll be able to be back on line 24/7 in the very near future.

I'm starting to settle into my new place. I'm pretty much completely unpacked, which is fabulous. I really can't tell you how wonderful it is to have a kitchen all to myself again! YAY!

And I'm beginning to get use to living alone again. So far it hasn't been too bad since I've been getting back into the swing of ministry coffee dates, I've actually been pretty busy-but today I really have nothing going on and I've had to fight the urge to stay productive. I'm praying that my job search ( that begins next week!) will go quickly...so I don't have TOO MUCH free time on my hands.

Nor

I don't like blogging from my phone, but this was too good.... The second half of a verse struck me tonight:
"...nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You."
2 Chrn 20:12

That's exactly how I feel these days...

All ruffled

So, on Saturday I moved.

It sounds all nice and tidy and in the end I guess it was....I had a whole hand full of able bodied boys ( some I didn't even know! Gotta love "ministry boys") that moved everything, and Mike came through one more time to drive the moving van for me-so I literally didn't lift a finger...but there was a LOT of stress, stress about the apartment, stress about the moving van ( the company I booked with didn't have a truck for me ( BUDGET CAR RENTALS IS EVIL DON'T USE THEM!!!) leaving Mike and I driving around frantically calling every place in town)...and generally me being uptight.

But, yes, end of the day everything was well...and I was walking around a nice and shiny new fancy-pants apartment in a lovely little pleasantville town with all my wonderful belongings that I hadn't seen in six months piled around me...and all I wanted to do was cry.

I missed Brett so terribly in those moments it was hard to breathe. I think I thought that I had cheated that feeling by not moving into the same location and starting "over afresh"...but basically by cheating one feeling I allowed a new, horrible feeling to enter...the feeling of doing something new, starting something new without Brett there to enjoy it, be a part of it...it was hard.

But, I was reminded that this year is not about Brett or me...or us being apart. It's all about God and what He wants to do in our lives. He is loving and infinitely good. He has proved SO much for me in the past week, and while it makes me nervous that everthing has happened so FAST ( have I made a mistake by moving into fancy-pants two bedroom apartment?! Did they cheat me?!)...I know that ultimately I have a grand protector over all the details and that I must instead focus on serving Him here in this community and leave all those details up to Him!

I am already seeing the opportunities to serve and I'm excited about them....
Of course, tomorrow is full of all those "details" I just talked about-taking my car into the shop, trying to unpack, getting my address changed etc. etc....but HOPEFULLY I will remember where to put my real focus and therefore stay calm and in praise for a God who takes care of all his little birdies. ( Matt 6:26)

Sadly, now that I have officially moved I do not have access to Amy's awesome laptop any longer...so I am limited to my iphone for internet access for the time being until I get my computer fixed ( or a new one)-sooOOooOOo if I dont email you, blog, reply to your facebook comments please do not be offended. I may be offline for a bit.

Until next time.

waaaait for it...

So, I waited allllll day for the fancy-pants apartment to call and tell me that we were a "Go" for move-in tomorrow.

I didn't get said call until 5:40pm. That's right. FIVE FOURTY.

Lots of sweating it out on that one! Way to make me wait, Fancy Pants People! Way to make me reeeeeeally want it.

But, all turned out in the end and while I'm a tad nervous about the moving process tomorrow...I'm mostly EXCITED!! YAY!!! I'm finally going to have my very own home again. :-)

I can't tell you how happy that makes me. Of course, its times like these that make me miss Brett terribly. It's definitely hard to figure out how to live a life without him. I find that anything major that happens-good or bad-all I want to do is have him there with me...
********

Ok, before I shed any tears-let me go ahead and tell you that if you get the chance you MUST SEE Slumdog Millionaire-this is the most feel good, touching movie I've seen all year! I'm sad that this movie has had limited release here in the states-but I'm hoping that if it does well during award season that it'll get more promotion, because I know you'll all love it. ( me and the three retired ladies in the movie theatre with me totally enjoyed it!)

these things happen...

So, last night ( to recap) I had a blow out on my front tire and today I went to get it fixed. And as I left the tire dude flagged me down and fatherly-suggested that I get my breaks looked at as soon as possible because they were "acting a bit weird"....I had noticed this too, but I'd only been back a day for heaven's sake! And I had just assumed I was driving funny because I wasn't use to my car. *sigh* But, I guess that was too optimistic so I went and made an appointment for my car to be seen at the Toyota Dealership on Monday ( my car is still under warranty for another 4000 miles, whew!). I am now going to be THANKFUL that ( like an idiot) I hadn't rotated my tires before driving long distances and therefore prematurely needing two new tires, and therefore having someone tell me that I needed to get my car checked out all before the warranty runs out....so....yes. I suppose those are GOOD things.

So, I suppose the whole sentiment that when it rains it pours is true-especially since it has literally NOT stopped raining since I got back here on Monday night. Not helping things!

I did however fill out an application for the fancy-pants apartment today. Hopefully that will be approved ( thanks to my husband and HIS income. meh!) and I will be able to move in on Saturday or something ( honestly, PLEASE stop RAINING!!!).

At least the apartment already has a nice name ( fany-pants has a certain ring to it) and if all goes well and I get it-then I am already starting to pray that God would use the fancy-pants apartment for His good work and that I can bless LOTS of people in it! I can hardly wait to have my own kitchen again! YAY!
Cookies anyone?

Positive things about the day:
A long overdue chat with Lydia, A pedi-date with Amy, and making dinner with Leah. Friends a great blessing

the straw

The last straw:

I was driving to Bible Study in pour down rain ( who says that it only "drizzles in Washington" should be shot) and all of a sudden BAM!!!
And after I had checked myself to see if I had been shot, I became aware of the fact that my car was making a Thumpity-thumpity sound and sure enough my front right tire had given up on life as we know it.

( have you noticed a theme among my most expensive posessions?! They have all decided to give up on life at once!!!)

Anyway, the good things about this situation were:
I was just about to pull into bible study so I was able to drive into saftey.
Mike Wright was just dropping off Katie at Bible Study and changed my tire in the rain. God bless him.

So, the whole thing brought me to tears....mostly because I felt so little. I felt like a little kid trying to "play adult" and all I'd gotten was a flat tire and a bunch of un-answer life questions....I still didn't know what to do about the apartment or annnnything.

But, you know what? The tire thing did remind me that while God didn't stop the bad thing from happening-He did protect me and bless me through it...and I know He will not stop with just a tire!

Side of reality and an order of life

Last night I arrived in Washington, settled in at Amy and Luke's and went to bed totally exausted and then I started to think....and thus several hours past of me wondering what in the world I was doing here.
I mean, sure it all made sense months ago, and it even made sense weeks ago, and technically it made sense yesterday...and even sorta kinda made sense in the moment...I just didn't feel it AT ALL.

I mean, I have no idea what I'm doing.

Today I got up, shed a few tears and then headed out to find an apartment ( first order of business)...I visited three places before 11 and started to feel a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. None of the places made me happy. In fact, none of the places that made me even remotely happy were even CLOSE to being ready in the next month-so I took a much needed break and had coffee, lunch and another coffee with Cindy ( and Andrew for a little bit) and that helped to put my mind at ease that I at LEAST had things to look forward to regarding the Navigator ministry here, which, lets be honest was the major reason for returning...
Yeah...

Looking back on that now I can see why God had me divide my day with time with them, it helped to remind me why I'm here.

After my "break" I went back to looking at apartments, this time it was at the fancy-pants apartments in Dupont ( Pleasantville, USA) that had told me over the phone that they didn't have any openings until February. However, I went and looked at the beautiful two bedroom that would be avaliable next month and I pleaded with the lady that I wanted something sooner...and then I left and I washed my hands of the whole "search for a place to live" for the day and went to the Px with Amy. And there we were in the Px and the lady at the fancy-pants place called me back and said that someone had fallen through and that I could literally move in tomorrow ( if I could move that fast)-but of course, it was in the "second tier" apartments thus more expensive...

Annnnyway, long day...and now I'm faced with some prayer concerning a fancy apartment with lots of room and a bedroom and bathroom that I don't need....

Long day.

Trying to take deep breaths.

Real World: Washington

Wow. I'm actually pretty shocked at how quickly my time here in Texas went! But, sadly, it is over and I am struggling to remember my reasons for moving back to Washington- with the snow and the darkness and the lack of family and the no home thing....
But, then again I seem to be striving for a life of 'lack of comfort' and so far this is a success!
So tomorrow I start my travel ( flying not driving this time yay!) and I'm praying hard that weather and stupid airport don't cramp my style ( and by style I mean no delays and arriving on time ).... Oh, and my computer's wireless card has said 'Thank you, and good night !' to the world as we know it, leaving me to type this blog on my iPhone and the need for a new computer at a very inconvient time....so if you don't get email or message replis from me in the next wee while- this is why. Typing with one finger cramps ones writing style- quite literally! So there you have it my friends, off on a new adventure....Updates of the exciting and not-so-exciting nature to come!

2008 in Review

In honor of the new year, I have looked back on a year of blogging and found that there is much to be thankful for, much praise to be given to a Father who indeed does guide our paths.... Without further ado: 2008

January: I was given the "surprise" of being handed the reigns to the girls ministry with the Navigators at Fort Lewis. I was overwhelmed and under qualified. The best way to start any endeavor. I continued to process what it meant to be an Army Wife ( aka. dealing with either a sleepy-tired husband or an absent one). This was the month I decided to have "more girl friends" and incidently became friends with Amy....so that worked out rather well, I suppose.

February: I spent the month throwing parties, attending parties and doing all this while being sick. Or at least that's how it seemed. It is true that I threw a lot of "gatherings" in February which basically just meant that whole "making more girl friends" meant that we doubled our friends and therefore doubled our social circle. Makes for Busy Times in the Wilson house hold. Oh, and yeah...who's surprised about the sick thing? I'm always sick.

March: In march I found my favorite recipe of Brett and my marriage thus far ( of course, my current favorite is Cindy's Enchilada Soup, but I've only had that one two months so we'll have to wait and see...) Easy Indian Samosas. Honestly, best thing ever! In fact, this month I did a lot of cooking and baking and I also watched a lot of Angel and Buffy the Vampire Slayer in between cooking. This was mostly because once again I was faced with my husband being gone. A. Lot. However, we were greatly encouraged by seeing some Spiritual Growth and hunger among the guys he was working with, a much needed boost.

April: While April was the month Brett and I found out he was going to be put on a MiTT team, I went to Texas for my sister's 30th Birthday, Brett and I went to an international soccer match, I got sick ( again), we finally reached the end of the FIVE seasons of Babylon Five that we'd been watching since the new year, and I made my first pie from scratch, Emma and Lydia visited from New Zealand, and we found out we were moving to Kansas... but by far the most crazy thing that happened in April was that some woman thought I was pregnant. yay. ( whoa, April was CRAZY!)

May: Brett and I attended a Hawaii-Mystery-Theme Party, I doubted my abilities to lead a growing girls ministry, we watched the Stroud kids play t-ball, and I continued to love my job at the coffee shop. We continued to deal with the Army's horrible way of springing things on you, Washington had some beautiful weather and we enjoyed it. Oh, and I had a kidney stone.

June: I started to feel more "calm" about our future regarding Kansas, June decided to be full of rain and 60 degree weather making me mad, we entertained my sister and her husband as well as Steve and Billie while they attended a Guitar building Conference and went and saw Mt. Rainier and Mt. Saint Helens with them at the end of their stay. I started to prepare to pack up our apartment by collecting boxes and not buying groceries. One worked better than the other. The girls ministry starts to blow up and more and more girls seem to come each week-a perfect time for TWO people to take over from the ONE me....

July: I went "camping" for the first time ever. Spent the 4th with friends eating homemade ice cream and experiencing one of the most amazing fireworks displays over puget sound. I dealt with the headache of packing up a house full of belongings and literal headaches ( lots of migraines this month). And in between all the packing, we went to an all day concert in Seattle, visited Snoqualmie Falls with friends and took a weekend trip to Canada's Victoria Island for our one year anniversary, none of which stopped me from turning into a giant Monster from all the horrible packing...of course, after the whirlwind of packing and moving we jumped on a plane and went to Texas for a much needed "break" from life where Brett said goodbye to even more family and friends.

August: Started the month out in Texas, and from there we flew back to Washington, moved our stuff into storage and hit the open road with brother Josh and Aunt Donnave heading to Kansas. We had lots of surprises in August, Kansas was not ugly, our living situation was awesome, Brett's job required lots less "working hours" and all in all adjusting to life without a job or friends or really anything to speak of was a lot easier for me than I would have thought. In short God was handing out Grace and Mercy at the door of Kansas.

September: I started volunteering at the Senior Center doing meals on wheels twice a week, I began going to the PWOC women's bible study on Fort Riley, Brett got into the swing of his new "work/training" schedule. I finally officially changed my name from Abigail Abt to Abigail Wilson with the United States Government. And Brett and I watched our lives slow waaaay way down and enjoyed every second of it.

October:I enjoyed Real Live Fall weather in Kansas while stressing about Nov-December and what I would do once Brett left ( Go to China? Teach English in a high school? Final Answer: none of the above). Brett and I spent a long, glorious weekend in Kansas City where he bought an ipod touch and I got my iphone-buyer remorse soon followed. Brett headed off to California for the end of his training, I headed off to Washington for a 'visit/doctors appointment'. Brett's deployment started to sink in and I cried tons.

November: Brett and I returned to Kansas for one final week and a half together before deploying. It turned out to be as perfect as such a week could ever be, in short it was a miracle. Brett left for Afghanistan, I pulled myself together. Papa and I drove from Kansas to Washington and then flew to Texas all in four days time, where I then let out a long sigh of relief and cried a little. Celebrated my 25 birthday with the birth of my friends Katie and Thomas's daughter Eden. I learned slowly how to deal with a Long Distance Husband. Celebrated Thanksgiving with both sets of family and went to rehearsals for the Messiah.

December: went to a wedding, a funeral and spent a lot of time with family. I rekindled old and new friendships and let a few old things pass away. Celebrated yet another holiday away from Brett,but also found that grace abounds in all situations and whether facing new marriages or the passing of a dear one- He is near.

"the movie is better"

So, thanks to those who gave your movie recommendations! Such fun! And you all had good ones, it was definitely hard to pick-especially since Brett and I are great lovers of books ( and movies)...but in the end we decided on Peter Pan, and this version in particular because it does much greater justice to the book ( which is beautiful) and I think this movie is also...if you haven't seen it, I think you'll like-I think it strikes at the heart of a child's desire for 'fairy tale' and imagination as well as the struggle to grow up-which, lets face it, I still struggle with. ;-)

The other movie picks this time were FireFox, with Clint Eastwood, which my brother-in-law picked, and it was an enjoyable little spy/action flick-and I probably wouldn't have watched it if I hadn't been at this movie event, so that's always nice.... broadening the horizons or something.
My parents chose Enchanted April, which was a nice change of pace-basically this movie is the earlier counterpart to all those "Under the Tuscan Sun" and "A Good Year" kind of movies about going on an Italian vacation to 'find what's missing'-this movie is sadly not out on DVD in the USA ( only VHS!)-but my readers in NZ are in luck! It is out where you are, strangely enough...but, I will say this...if you want a really wonderful entertaining/light-hearted/comical/romantic novel to read on your next rainy day or beach vacation-go get any of Elizabeth von Arnim's books, I promise you will not be disappointed!
Steve and Billie chose The Bourne Identity, which Steve had stayed up late for a week to read so that he could use it for his choice ( he got the Most Dedicated the the Marathon Award for this!), and of course it was worth it-the Bourne movies are soooo good, and I stand by the fact that the Bourne Identity is the best one because the film makers did not insist upon doing that jumpy all over the place shooting style that leaves me dizzy and carsick. Great movie.
And then, we ended with the "Bonus Movie" which both Ryan and Brett had wanted to watch, The Count of Monte Cristo-which is the perfect action/adventure to end the evening on! And while its hard for me to recommend this book since I havent read it ( you'll have to ask Brett on this one!), I DO recommend this movie, I find it satisfying every time I watch it!

So there you go! I ate more today than I did on Thanksgiving and Christmas combined-mostly because I never say no to Pizza and cheese balls....or chocolate for that matter-and we somehow ended up with leftovers even after 12 hours of movies and eating ( we had to take a break to walk around the block two times! hahaha!) ....but I suggest all of you start Movie Marathon Leftover Parties whereever you are, I promise it'll be a hit! ;-)

Time in a Bottle

As of today, I have exactly one week left in Texas before heading off into the unknown abyss that is shaped like Washington State. Well, that might be a little too dramatic-Not everything is unknown, I know that I'm suppose to go back to Washington because I need to continue to learn from the Navigator ministry at Fort Leiws and from the many good friends that Brett and I made during our time living there, I also know its rainy and dark and cold in the winter ( and apparently snowy this time around!) I know that the summers have long long days ( which is great) and that I'll be able to eat Indian food any time I want. So, some things are known. The unknown things just consist of those pesky little problems like "a place to live" and a "job", but I'm sure it'll all happen just as it should. So, until that adventure starts lets finish this one strong:

I can hardly believe that I've been in Texas for a month and a half! How wonderful to be able to tick that time of Brett being away surrounded by such Texas Loving! But, I'm not leaving quite yet, and I still have a few more good times left to go- For instance, today is the annual Movie Marathon and Leftovers Party...which is a highly intricate and involved party that has rules and such. Basically, each year we come up with a theme ( last year it was science fiction...obviously it was the boys year to pick) and then each "family unit" picks a film and then we all get together and watch our picks and eat all the leftovers we have from Christmas and beyond. This year the theme is "Book to Film Movie Adaptations"- Brett and I have already picked out our movie, but I'm curious to hear what YOU would want to watch....the only rule was that you had to have read the book and no comic books allowed ( this was mostly because we'll more than likely have a comic book year in the future)..... tell me your picks! Picking the perfect film is half the fun!!

Anyway, I'm putting on my stretchy yoga pants ( so I can eat more in comfort) and headed out for my day of fun, I only wish Brett could be here. I get little waves of sadness and missing him, but I think overall that's probably good and normal.

Retro(spect)

So, I just "edited" ( as in formated it so that it would be printable) Brett's thank you letter to my church here in Nacogdoches. (They sent him four boxes jam packed with yummy things and gifts of love that lifted his spirits)....Anyway, his letter is beautiful and everyone who is lucky enough to get his mass emails is so in for treats in this coming year ( and if you DON'T get them, feel free to let me know, and I'll make sure you get one)....this is one of the many hundred million reasons why I'm glad he's my husband. His heart is reflected in his written word.

He's the greatest. His heart is why I married him.

one for the road..

Some mouth open pictures can not be helped...this one is hysterical.

Glory Revealed

Comfort, comfort my people,
says your God.
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
and proclaim to her
that her hard service has been completed,
that her sin has been paid for,
that she has received from the LORD's hand
double for all her sins.
A voice of one calling:
"In the desert prepare
the way for the LORD ;
make straight in the wilderness
a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be raised up,
every mountain and hill made low;
the rough ground shall become level,
the rugged places a plain.
And the glory of the LORD will be revealed,
and all mankind together will see it.
For the mouth of the LORD has spoken

And so it was....Merry Christmas, my dearest Blog-Readers.

Suitcase living.

I'm currently living out of a suitcase. Although, I've mostly unpacked the suitcases and most of my clothes are hanging in a closet. However, I still have things like PJs and undies that really have no need to be hung up and so I have fashioned one of my suitcases into a "drawer". And this brings me to my point. I'm terrible with drawers.
No matter how big the drawer might be, or how little I might have to actually put into a drawer, or how organized I might be, or how tidy I might have everything folded- I always end up with an incredibly MESSY drawer. Always. It does not take long for everything to get all bunched up together and stuffed in, then things start getting "losted" at the bottom and other things start to get more and more wrinkly and therefore I wear them less and less ( because everyone hates to iron!!)...thus are the state of my drawers.

But, I'm starting to think that it is also the state of other parts of my life too....
I think its time to take everything out and look at it, spread out all the worries and the wrinkles and then put it back in its proper place.

Literally Speechless

Last night my current cold took me to a new level and I lost my voice. Straight up, I was left with nothing but a squeak and a whisper. And today, today is no better. The worst part is that Brett called me this morning, after several days of not hearing from him, and all I could do was whisper into the phone. I think he could hear me relatively well, but its actually HARD to whisper loudly for long spirts of time. And its especially hard when you're talking to your husband and you really just want him to be next to you.

The end.

No, not really....really, the saddest thing about this past week is that I'm trying to write Brett my weekly "Sunday Letter", which I usually fill with all the spiritual insights that I get throughout the week, as well as all the things that I have not either already blogger about or told him about over the phone ( as you can imagine that's hard to come up with!), but this week....this week, I've got nothing! I've totally dried up on Spiritual insight. Which, is of course, my own fault. I'd like to blame the fact that I've had some variation of head cold all week long, but that's not a good reason. And now, now I'm left without either of my voices. The writers voice and the speaking one! :-(

nostalgia

Tomorrow the Abt Family Four are driving to Cleburne Texas. This is significant on several levels. We have probably not been anywhere just the four of us since 2000 ( the year Anna got married). And going to Cleburne in December is seriously one of the clearest family memories of my youth.
Cleburne, Texas is where my Dad's family always was and it was where I personified Christmas in the form of Aunts and Uncles and Cousins and Grandmother and Granddangy ( although he was always slightly scary).
Anyway, I'm kind of excited about just having the four of us take a car trip together, and I'm excited about McDonalds breakfast ( which is an important part of roadtriping in my family) and I'm excited about seeing wonderful family whom I love. And I'm excited about Christmas.

Today, I watched Elf until I fell asleep half way though ( I totally blame my cold, because I totally love this movie and had no reason to fall asleep.), but I think this movie deserves serious props for jumping so quickly into my "classic christmas movie" section. But, oh how delightful Will Farrell is as Buddy the Elf! How delighted and happy and cheerful he is!

If you haven't seen this movie this Christmas season I suggest you go watch it pronto, it'll make you smile. ( besides, Baby, its Cold Outside is my current favorite holiday song-and the version in this movie is extra great.)

Boxed in.

-I am not good at wrapping presents. I need to take a class or something to teach me how to make them look a pretty like they do in the stores. :-(

-I sent Brett a package when he first got to A-stan and he thought he was going to be in one place and then, surprise! things changed...so of course, yesterday, I got that box back...it was battered and beaten and had obviously been to hell and back, yet...there it was with all the goodies still inside. I suppose I'm happy I got it back, but it makes me sad that it'll be another month before Brett sees it.

-My cold is still going strong. Last night it woke me up every few hours because of the lack of oxygen. Apparently breathing does not come so naturally after all.

-Today I'm cooking curry. Take that you silly sinuses!

-I'm worried that my last few christmas presents aren't going to arrive in time! BOOOO!

-I'm going to visit my Aunt Donnave and Uncle Jim on Saturday. I'm excited not only to see them, but that my sister is now coming too! It's a real party now!

-I have had to many days and too few quiet times. This does not equal greatness.

Swallow.

It happened. I caught a winter cold. I was so hoping this wouldn't happen...and I've been taking vitamins religiously, but somehow I came in contact with some wayward germ on Sunday and woke up with a sore throat yesterday. Blah. Today its gotten so intense, I stop everything I do to swallow and then wince.
I hate it when it hurts to swallow. How many times to do you really need to swallow in day?! Answer: too many.

In other news its cold everywhere today. Each morning I wake up and I check the weather on my phone. My phone has this feature where you add the weather forecast of all the places you want to keep up with, therefore I check the weather here in Texas, followed by where Brett is in A-stan, followed by Washington ( because I get immense satisfaction of knowing that I'm missing out on bad weather...hahaha!), followed by Kansas ( this is only because I just haven't gotten around to taking it off my list).....Anyway, today it is cold in ALL these places, and if I were not bent upon going to the Senior Center with my grandfather for lunch I would totally stay in bed all day long reading my book. But, who can pass up good company and Senior Center action?! Not I.

Besides there are errands to run, and important things to be mailed. ;-)

Behind Door Number One...

So, yesterday I was talking to an old boss and he asked me to do a little favor/work for him back at the job I had in 2004-2005....and I accepted, not just because I really like this particular boss, and now consider him a good friend, and doing a favor for him on a not-so-busy day seemed like a good thing, but also because I felt like it was "important"...and it turned out to be just that....I learned a little lesson!

Now, to learn this lesson properly I had to look behind a door that God had closed in my life, the door of a past job....In chatting with my former boss I learned a lot about the time that transpired after I left three years ago ( whoa!) and in my mind throughout the whole conversation- I was thanking God that I left when I did! And then, on the drive home I started to think about all the other jobs that God has given me over the years and then consequentially "taken away"....and I was delighted to see His beautiful provision for me! With each job I saw that while it has served me terribly well while I was there ( I am happy to say I've had good experiences at all my jobs so far), the job seemed to take a significant turn every time I left..... job descriptions changed, money got tight, positions and businesses changed hands...all in all, I am truly amazed that while at the time I only saw that my door was shutting, I had NO IDEA why it was shutting and yet now I can look back and see just how perfect God's plan really was! In fact, more than ever it makes me feel like each of the jobs I've had have been more than just "work" or a "way to pay the bills"...but a perfect little package wrapped up for me at just the time and place that I needed it.
For instance, at this particular job that I revisited today...I was given tons o' free time and therefore had all kinds of time to blog and write emails-thus snaring a certain husband ( in the long run)...awesome.

hahaha!

This little lesson encouraged me greatly, it encouraged me for A and for T, both of whom are dealing with various "job woes" at the moment...that God has a reason and a plan for both of them...and selfishly, it encouraged me for my own future. I am down right excited to see what adventure-job wise- God is going to take me on in the coming year! I look forward to seeing just exactly what He has in mind for me next! All my jobs have been a bit random and have had little to do with my degree ( that money was NOT wasted however! hehehe!), but each one has had important life experiences and beautiful people involved. The question is, what is behind door number FOUR?!

People shaped holes.

This weekend I was suppose to go to a wedding....Instead, I ended up going to a funeral. Odd change of plans, don't you think? But, isn't that just the way life works? It can be so terribly unpredictable that I think most of us don't think about all the things that could happen to us in a given day, or we'd all go insane ( or at least that's my guess...).

However, this afternoon when I was saying goodbye to one of the most remarkable ladies I've had the privilege of knowing... I say this because I knew her only towards the middle/ end of her life and those years were so full of generosity and kindness and a general sweetness of spirit, that is often lacking late in life. So, here I am in the relative "morning" years of my own life and I can only pray that I might finish my race as strong as she did. Anyway saying my goodbyes to this wonderful woman, Helen Kinnaird, got me thinking....
She truly was someone to aspire to, and more than that she's no longer on this earth. And I really do feel some sort of hole has been left behind in her place. She has also left behind a standard of what a gracious woman of God should look like, and in her absence I think we are called to step up. Now, of course, this seems personal-as in only a call to those who knew this lovely lady...but I promise that it's even bigger than that!

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Never before had I thought of all the large holes that the "cloud of witnesses" have left behind as they have left this world in such a personal way! But it is personal! Imagine a wonderful prayer warrior fighting away in their prayer closet for hours at a time, days on end, imagine how many lives they have interceded for over the years! And, then imagine that this person passes away....WHO is praying for those on that person's list?! Who is witnessing to the lost? Who is loving the loveless? Who is binding up the wounded hearts, when those who have lived and then died for the world around them pass on?

I suppose what I'm saying, is that instead of looking to the saints that walk before me in my life now as well as those who have already gone before me into the next as just "inspiring people"...I should instead take it to task that the holes they leave behind must be filled!
Where are tomorrow's Hudson Taylors, Charles Spurgeons, D.L. Moodys....where are the new Amy Carmichaels...or even just tomorrow's Helen Kinnairds? That cloud of witnesses is not just there to speak of all that the Lord has done in their day, but to remind me what He can do through me in my day....

Today that cloud of witnesses got a little bigger, it has one more shining face to cheer the rest of us on, and onward we should go! In so many ways I need to grow in order to be one day called "kind" or "gracious" or "patient", but there is a hole and for now I am called to fill it....are you?

People Priorities.

Its been a rough two days. Yesterday was spent with this odd sensation that something was wrong-mainly that Brett was gone....who knows why some days are harder than others but that seems to be the case....And then today, today Mrs. Kinnaird passed away...
Now, for those of you who don't know the run down of my "family", basically Steve and Billie are my parents best friends since college and my second set of parents and Mr. and Mrs. Kinnaird are Steve's parents and I consequently I have known them my whole life. And today "Mr. Kinnaird" ( yes, I call them this...it seems to be formal, but some how its not...) said goodbye to his wife.
And I accidently typed "life" and I think that might have been closer to the truth.

I think it is truly a beautiful thing to have been married for 50 years and still delight in someone so very much. I am thankful that the Lord gives us gifts like that. A husband or a wife. Or even just a friend. And that while we are on this earth, we are given such relationships. We are in fact, told in scripture just how important those around us really are and we are given perfect directions on how to keep such relationships where they should be, priority:

"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love, give preference to one another in honor, not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality." ~Romans 12:9-13

I love how the "serving the Lord" part is so mixed in with all those interpersonal relationship commandments. I love how we are to be devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints and how even those two are very much connected ( who are you praying for these days?) and how we are to give preference to one another....but above all, I have come to learn that I can do very little of any of the above things without first going to Christ. I know that the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Kinnaird was firmly grounded in Him first and foremost and that above all else is where those 50 years of love and respect came from...
During this so called "giving" season I wonder if I'm really doing these things like I really should, if I'm giving of myself to others even in the smallest of ways, am I doing it in my own strength, or is that Strength coming from above?

I'm pretty sure I could spend the rest of my days focused on those five verses in Romans and still have more to learn. Today is a good day to start....

Feminist wiles.

I'm a really spoiled person. This is made self-evident on a daily basis on this blog, so I won't go into it too much now. But one of the most delightful ways that I've been spoiled is by having a really wonderful husband who, through the following every day actions has made me miss him even more than is humanly possible (I've moved on to super-human missing powers now). I have also realized that through all of the spoiling I have become far less of an "independent" woman than I was back in the day....

A list of things I miss:

1. Having car doors opened for me.-Who knew that I liked this so much? In fact, sometimes I thought it annoyed me because it slowed down the process of us getting somewhere...but no, turns out, I liked it.

2. Putting my cold, cold feet on a warm, warm body. This is especially important this time of year. *sigh*

3. Hand massages. Feet massages. I hate to brag, but I pretty much had one a day ( if not more). Yes, Brett is a saint.

4. Dishes got magically washed. Brett washed dishes. He said this was because I cooked the meals, but lets not lie....he also worked like twenty hours a DAY so...Really, I should have washed the dishes....

5. He ate Little Caesars Pizza with me. And he liked it. Today I was totally craving a LC, but I had no one to eat it with, and lets not lie...if I'd gotten one the chances of me eating the ENTIRE thing alone were high. So, in the end, no Pizza for Abigail.

6. Hand-holding. I'm a fan.

7. Having doors opened for me. Honestly, I don't think I lifted anything heavier than a remote control in the whole year we were married....even when we moved I hardly lifted a finger. This became strikingly clear when I had to lift all KINDS of heavy items when moving all my things from Kansas to Washington all by myself. I have become a weakling.

So, kids....its been over a month since Brett left. That leaves us with around 11 more such months to go. Hopefully, somewhere around month two I'll gain back my independence ( since I'm gonna seriously need it when I go back to Washington!), but I really don't think I'm going to get over my strong desire of seeing that slow quiet smile sneak across Brett's face when you talk to him. Yeah. I miss that more than the foot massages and the pizza. ( shocking I know).

A little Cheer

So, I spent a goodly portion of the day with my mother-in-law decorating for Christmas. I actually really love decorating trees for Christmas and nativity scenes, candles and twinkle lights....they are all pretty much the greatest, so what's not to love? But, it was extra special getting to spend some quality time with Mary and to be productive in a small way....lately I've been thinking about how I haven't held down a 'real' job in going on six months and how when that happens to a person you really have to evaluate your life in a new way. Instead of counting your job as your way of "contributing" to the world around you and then going home to veg on your couch, I've had to be more creative, I've had to think harder about ways in which I can "benefit" society....Not to say I was a total blob when I had a job, but not having one has taught me a lot about patience and being obedient ( to God's will for my life) and relying on God for my self-worth. It's been an interesting journey! And my two dear friends who are currently jobless and feeling blue: Girls, I'm praying for you! It's rough but good will come from it! Promise!
Wait, so what were we talking about?
Ah yes, decorating for Christmas.
Good times, and I had fun hanging out with my cute four-year-old nephew too. He's great about playing by himself, so listening to him blabble on and on to himself is adorable! We also made marshmallow monsters together out of marshmallow, toothpicks and raisins , so all in all I'm hoping I can get into his good graces by the time I leave again in January! I really wish I could be a more hands on aunt to all my nephews and niece-but being a far away Aunt is not as cool. :-(

In other news, Christmas shopping and another wedding to prepare for this weekend! Life is a whirlwind, when would I have time for a job?!? ;-)

Forward.

So, I had quite the weekend. It was stock full of crazy stories....like how my sister and I got swindled and had $100 taken from us. Or how I got stuck behind a million jingle-bell runners and almost missed a wedding, or how I went down a one way street the wrong way ( Aunty D would understand...hehehe!), or how we stayed in a "fancy hotel" that had terrible service and loud rooms....but, I'm going to just blow over those minor details and get to the good stuff....

Brett's dear friend Denny got married to his adorable wife Laura ( who looked gorgeous beyond belief)...and I got to witness it and soak in all of Brett's sweet friends from his college days. All of whom were terribly gracious and made me feel right at home.

Annnnd, I came home to the exciting news that one of my greatest friends in all the world has started....a blog.

So, in honor of said event I got the idea that, just like books have forwards written by friends and colleagues, I think that blogs need the same thing ( its one of the greatest oversights of the blogging world) so, without being asked I'm going to go ahead and write a forward to "Keeping the End in Mind", a new blog for a new beginning.

"I meet the author when she was just a name and a little black and white school picture in my roster of students in my care as a House Tutor ( resident assistant). I remember thinking that she sounded just like a heroine out of a great children's book ( her name is seriously perfect for a book!) and I was delighted to find that upon meeting her she was most definitely "bookish"....and we would soon become acquaintances that bonded over reading Jane Austen and the tendency to fall both down and UP stairs. As the years went by our relationship changed, she became a Christian AND a fellow house tutor and we had even more in common but just when our friendship was beginning to take root a big change was happening in my life. I left New Zealand.
All of a sudden all of my friendships were forced into the Long Distance category. So, many friendships faded and many found a happy middle ground where we kept in touch and always knew that when we saw each other face to face things would "still be the same", a few stayed strong as my very best friends, but only one can I honestly say blossomed through new found separation... Here was a friendship that did not fade. A friendship that did not settle in. This was a friendship that, against all odds, grew. Remarkably enough our friendship has grown through the written word and almost entirely the written word. Since 2004 I think we've talked on the phone a hand full of times and seen each other face to face twice. Yet, through hundreds and hundreds of beautiful letters-mostly in response to my own blog posts- I saw one of the most beautiful people I've ever had the privilege of knowing. Even though I had been a Christian for many years, reading her tales of discovering the Scriptures for the first time gave me chills. She would see beauty in the smallest details of life and could fine Analogies for Christ in the most every day circumstances that would give me a new perspective on the very life I lived. Her emails were no less than drops of Life.
In my Bible I have two letters from her that I'd printed out and re-read many times. I've quoted her on this blog more than anyone else. So, one could say she did, in fact, turn out to be a Heroine in a book, gifted in the written word-she has changed my life, and I am delighted that she'll now be writing in a more public forum so that you may all share in the next Chapter of her life when, she too, will leave New Zealand.
I have a feeling life will never be the same....

My husband's friends.

When you get married, there is this weird moment when all of a sudden you inherit each others friends and family.... and you wonder,

"Will they like me?! Will they secretly wonder what Brett is doing with me? Will they wish things were back the way they were before I was around or will they accept me and look to a future of fun with ALL of us together?!"

And for the most part my fears haven't been realized ( minus one or two people who I'm still working on, but don't you worry...I will not give up that easily! You WILL like me! YOU WILL! )...and in fact, along the way I've found some of my favorite people amongst Brett's friends and family ( which seems only right, since Brett, himself, is so great...). Yet, when your husband goes off to war, there is a small part of you that wonders, "How will the dynamics between us change?"
And, I gotta say, one of the most interesting things has been seeing how Brett's friends have dealt with his being gone. I think the most touching of all the responses to Brett's departure have been those who are bent upon "filling his role" while he's away.... things like opening doors for me, wanting to know about my safety, and pleading with me to "move into an apartment before they go to Ranger school so they can help me move." ( how many people do YOU know who plead to help you move?), and all going out of their way to make sure that my life is as smooth as possible.
Anyway, I found this incredibly sweet and endearing that not only would these guys be so gracious towards me, but I think its also a pretty cool testimony of what a great husband Brett is, how else would these guys know that these would be things that would be missing from my life while he was away? That they would love Brett enough to be so considerate of me even though he's not around, is also very touching. I definitely think its been a very nice way for them all to honor Brett, and I must admit that from my perspective, I am so grateful...I know for a fact that my life has been easier this last month knowing that I don't have to do everything myself, even though my hubby is gone! ;-)

I think the other great testimony to Brett is just how comfortable many of his friends have made me feel, even though I've known them a pretty short amount of time! I have to admit that I'm actually excited about going to a wedding this weekend for Brett's college friend's Denny and Laura. I feel like I know these people!! And I can't wait to see them, and even though I could say that I'm going to quiz them on how they are doing because I'm going to pass it on to Brett ( which I will) ...I actually honestly enjoy these people and care about them! When I first met Brett's group of friends back when we were first engaged it was one of those defining moments in our relationship when it was once again affirmed in my mind that we were perfect for each other, I felt like if at that moment we could somehow meld my college friends and his college friend together they would have all gotten along. Ahhhh, in a perfect world....hehehe! Anyway, all that to say...I miss Brett. And I know his friends and family do as well, luckily we all have each other to celebrate all his great qualities and talk about our memories with him together and most of all anticipate him coming back to us all safe and sound next year!

Early New Years Resolution

After a few key pictures taken over the past holiday, I have made a life changing observation....I open my mouth too much in pictures.
Its true.

You all know it, don't even deny it.

Anyway, I've decided for my New Years Resolution, I'm going to refrain from posing for pictures with my mouth open ( this does not include spontaneous pictures with my mouth open-which also happens a lot-I feel like that's asking too much. )

I know its going to be hard, since after trying hard to break my habit of "tilt head, smile" thing that I did all through high school and college...I went right on into this new annoying habit of "mouth open shot".....you'll notice I even did it at my wedding for heaven's sake!

Anyway, in memory of my many many moments with my mouth agape....I've put together a little slide show of me with my mouth open for you to all enjoy and make fun of.

*ahem*

Sorry about yesterday and my disgruntled post....its really weird how over the top I can get about little things-well, not little things...mostly just things that have to do with my communication with Brett. There is so little I feel I can do for him that I get really OVER THE TOP about the little that I can. ahhhhh weelllll....I always said this blog would show you the whole picture of me...that includes the mini-tiads.

So, yesterday I was really productive in the end, even with all the annoying people getting in my way, and I ended the day with a freezing cold three mile run with my sister ( honestly, my legs turned into bright red icicles, followed by with dinner and hot tea with Christa and then Messiah rehearsals, followed by a mini-reunion with my Bible Study girls from back in 2004-2006 ( all of us are doing the Messiah together! such fun!) which was interrupted by a much anticipated phone call from Brett ( see more about him at the bottom of this email)....then I went home and watched Hors de prix ( Priceless), a fantastic little French movie...Honestly, go watch this! Audrey Tautou is still beyond adorable to watch....all in all, good ending to a day. :-)

Brett news: He is back from their time out evaluating a A-stan army brigade. Brett was the humvee driver for most of the trip so he didn't get to 'get out and do much' for much of the trip, but he said he felt like it was a good experience for his team to see what they're going to be up against once the team they're replacing leaves....he also said he was going to try to go to a Bible Study this evening ( its probably over with by now!) and so I'm looking forward to hearing how that went! Its weird, but after talking to him I always forget almost everything he says...I am just SO EXCITED to be talking to him during the conversation that I'm not taking notes like I should ;-) Hopefully this is something I will get better at as time goes on....

In other news: I booked by tickets back to Washington yesterday, looks like I'll be heading back Jan. 5th, which means I'll be back just in time to start up the new year of Navigator Tuesday night bible studies! To be honest, I'm nervous about going back...finding a job, a home, and trying hard to learn more about ministry....it all seems like a weighty mission! But, I'm excited and I really think we made the right decision about me going back for the rest of this year without Brett....

***This just in!!! I now know what kinda baby my friend Amy is having ( thank goodness for text messages during ultrasound appointments)!!! Now I can hardly wait to go back to Washington so I can help plan this babies new life!! Yay for living vicariously through others! :-)

Attention Holiday Shoppers:

I don't like you.
I don't like that you're making my life a lot more complicated. I don't like that you're getting in the way of me sending my husband things in the mail. I don't care about you and your christmas cards. I only care about my husband getting a letter from me. The US postal service should really have a priority line JUST for me....

I also don't like Wal Mart. What in the world are all you people buying?! And why is your cart blocking the photo machine that lets me print out pictures of Thanksgiving to send to my husband....who is in A-stan, might I add.... Get your cart out of the way, you aren't even USING the photo machine, you're looking at ugly plastic earrings in the next aisle over. Obviously, this recession that the USA is in, is not stopping you from milling around parking lots and stores and therefore making my day a lot more annoying.

Bah-humbug.

*ahem*

I have low blood sugar and I miss Brett. ;-)

totally wack yet true.

Ok, so this is a semi-embarrassing story if you're not me. But if you're me its not embarrassing at all ( because its all relative really), so here goes.

In keeping with my english literature background, I found it essential to send my husband a letter lightly scented with my perfume in A-stan ( because I roll with the romantic gestures no matter how cheesy). However, I was immediately faced with non-english literature-real-life-problems....such as, in real life perfume does not actually STICK to paper for 20 some-odd days while it travels across the globe ( or at least this is what I've heard from other army wives). But, I was like, "pppsssssh!" I will not let this stand in my way!
So I sprayed some ( 100% recyclable and yet nice) stationary with my perfume and then put it in a ziplock baggy for a week. I figure, hey, let it sink in! That'll totally work!

So, tonight, I'm all hyped up on caffeine so I figure what better time to "whip out the ol' stationary and see how its doing"....well, to answer that question its doing great. And after writing on one and a half sides of stationary my hands smell quite strongly of...and here comes the really really weird part....

Brett's cologne.

I KNOW. For whatever reason, my perfume combined with recycled paper smells like Brett's cologne. And they aren't even the same brand, or even have remotely the same blend of fragrances....its a MYSTERY!

I just hope he doesnt get my letter and think I've sprayed it with his own cologne, because, yeah...that'd be weird.

did you hear that?

That was the giant denial bubble that I was living in that told me my husband would'nt be in any danger over there in that foreign land popping.

meh.

And then I said, "thank you"

So, today was Thanksgiving. And it fit with your typical picture of gluttony since I ate two thanksgiving dinners back to back ( well, I had about an hour and a half reprieve between them)...but seriously, I didn't know my stomach could accomplish so much.

But, most of all, today was difficult. Not like, "I can't get out of bed because I'm crying too hard." difficult....but it was hard. I missed Brett terribly. I missed him with my own family and then I missed him double time at his mom's house. I miss him especially hard when I see his brother or when I think about "what we did last thanksgiving"....or when his mom serves his favorite cranberry side dish.

It didn't help that I got an email from him last night saying that he'd be out of communication till next Tuesday...I mean, I was prepared for that email since I knew he was headed out on a mission, but it just added to the theme of the day.

However, even though all those thoughts and emotions were bombarding me I didn't cry. Not even once. I didn't even tear up! I was so proud! I just kept on going! Every time a thought would pop in my head that would make me miss Brett, I'd push it right back out again!!! It was like the brain gymnastics...I was constantly having to do backflips of the mind to keep things where they needed to be.

I made it all the way until 9:30pm when I was lying in bed, watching Friends ( because, that's what I do...) and then the phone rang!

It was Brett and I got to talk to him for a whole 15 minutes! I got to hear his voice and hear how he's doing and know some of the things that are on his mind. We got to talk about Faith and we got to talk about Thanksgiving both his ( he got "thanksgiving food"...which I'm assuming is above average) and mine ( everyone missed him!!)....

and then we hung up, because Brett was borrowing a satellite phone to make the call and other guys had people to wish Happy Thanksgiving to as well...

And then I cried....I cried, but not sad tears...I cried thankful tears...thankful tears since God let me talk to Brett even when I hadn't even asked for it, He saw the very desire of my heart and tonight He gave it to me.

I miss my husband terribly, but I truly have so much to be thankful for....we have been so very lucky so far, and I know that I have things so easy! I pray tonight for the many wives who didn't get to talk to their husbands...or who have five small children who they are juggling while missing their husbands all at the same time....there are some amazing women out there who are fighting against crazy odds....my own prayers of thanksgiving are mingled with heartfelt prayers for those less fortunate.

Faaaantabulous

So today I shopped my socks off. In fact, I kept wanting to quit and go home, but I figured, "hey, what else do I have to do?!" and so I pretended like shopping was my "job" and I continued....

And so I got EVERYTHING that I wanted to get for my box to Brett....accept for a power converter. I haven't been able to find one that'll work yet. But, other than that I'm good to go. I'm so excited about some of my finds for Brett! YAY!

I even found some heels that fit ( I now wear a size 3.5 little girls...this is so so lame.) so I now have shoes to wear to the FOUR events I have coming up in the next few weeks, since I still don't have any of my clothes that are currently living in a car in Kansas. This is a load off my mind. I also bought a dress ( because, yes, I also didn't have anything to wear to said events...) and its pretty cute and didn't totally break the bank ( which was important at this point-since I just couldn't justify spending money on a dress I really didn't need once I'm back in my own closet again...)

I also bought wedding presents ( some of the said events I was talking about ;-) hehehe!) which is always fun....

so all in all it was a busy morning for this non-shopper. In other news, I wish I hadn't told my sister I'd go running this afternoon.I feel like I'm over achieving....oh wait....I'm eating two thanksgiving dinners tomorrow....nevermind.

time tested.

I turned 25 on Saturday. Not sure if you notice or not. For the first time ever I did not count down on my blog or remind you day in and day out that my birthday was coming. I would say its because I'm "more mature and grown up..." but we all know this isn't why at all...

Anyway, this monumental occasion brought me to my usual activity of "archive perusing"...the age old activity of "looking back" and taking stock ( via my handy-dandy blog).

so, tonight I looked back a few years and I delighted in the growth in some and cried out in the withering of others. Why do some Seeds seem to fall short of the good soil?! How will I ever know how to keep you away from this, my dear friends? When will I realize that that is not my job to do? When will I stop standing here with my hands out in despair wondering what went wrong? I will never ever give up, though. I really won't. I've prayed too many prayers with you, for you...
But, I'm tired. I'm tired of this happening.
And I've come to tremble at the verse, "few will enter".

fa la la la

So, as many of you know one of my favorite things of all times is Handel's Messiah...and unlike most of the western world, I do not just pull it out during the holiday season. Instead, I listen to it year around ( best at top volume) and I consider it one of the greatest pieces of worship music EVER.
I have it on good authority that the angels in heaven sound a lot like that.

Incidentally, I also found it helpful to play parts of the Messiah at top volume on Sunday mornings after a particularly rough night of dealing with annoyingly loud drunken residents when I was an RA back in the day....believe me its the perfect payback to hungover 18 year-olds.

But, I digress....last year, Brett gave me tickets to the Messiah with the Seattle Symphony for my christmas present and it was glorious! And this year I'm getting to do something a little different....I'm getting to actually sing with the community choir at the college in my hometown! How totally fabulous! Especially since last year it was pretty hard not to sing along with the professionals at the seattle symphony. ;-)

What fun!