Merry Christmas!

Everyone had a great time this year, except for one furry little friend:

Bears, Beets, Battlestar Galactica

This is an extremely random blog post, but my cousin-in-law's profile picture on Facebook is probably the most epic thing I've seen in a while.

Behold:

Yep, he shot it dead.

Lessons from Simeon

This past Sunday Dusty and I lit the second Advent candle at church, the peace candle. This got me contemplating a lot, because I think "peace" is so often marginalized into an abstract concept or lofty goal that in this day and age is all too unattainable.

It all really reminds me a lot of Simeon, because Simeon found his life's peace with the advent of Jesus the kid. In Luke 2 you'll find Simeon, a man full of the Holy Spirit and living in the promise that he wouldn't die until he saw the Messiah in the flesh.

The Spirit leads him to the temple the very day that Mary and Joseph were there to present Jesus for circumcision. And Simeon, upon seeing that kid, exclaims, "I've seen it all Lord! I can die in peace! You did what you said you would do!"

I long to have that kind of certainty about the Lord! I'm supposed to have it all together because I've been a follower of Christ for 14 years, and because my husband is a youth minister, but I cannot count the times throughout the year, the week, the day, that I find my innermost self saying, "Lord, I do not believe you."

There are some things that I definitely feel like the Lord has promised me. Until the time comes that I see those things into fruition, I find mostly that what I want is enough peace to wait in patient expectation, just like Simeon.

Here are some things that I've learned about peace in the past year:

1.) Peace is almost always preceded by expectation. Maybe it's the expectation of something that makes you anxious, or maybe like me and my friend Simeon, the fulfillment of promises.

2.) Peace and adversity often, and strangely enough, stand side by side. I think it's because in adverse times the absence of peace is exaggerated, until we realize that it's what has been missing all along.

3.) True peace, I mean lifelong lasting peace, is only found in Jesus. He carried it with him in his birth long ago, it's available to us through the Holy Spirit today, and we are anxiously awaiting the time when that peace will be the ruling standard in our world.

It's Heeeeeere!

It's a little scary.

I definitely need a DSLR for Dummies book.

Anyone use one of these bad boys and have any words of wisdom?

Advent Season

I don't ever remember celebrating Advent when I was growing up. I think we did in a round about way, but we never called it advent. A few years ago I read this great book called Girl Meets God. The author converted to Christianity from Judaism, and her observations on the Advent season are quite delightful:

"It is Advent, the weeks before Christmas, which means we are waiting for Jesus. It is the season of expectation, of being primed and pumped, the season during which you are supposed to cultivate longing for Him, the type of longing you feel when you beloved has been out of town for three weeks but you know he is coming home tonight." (p. 34)

In the years to follow my understanding and insight into the Advent season has increased. Last year the Lord really spoke to me that our lives should be kept in a constant state of advent, because by doing so we acknowledge every day that He's going to do what he said He's going to do: come back! This year I already realize that I'm being given a tangible way to experience advent.

My family is coming for Christmas. This is a really big deal in many ways, not the least of which is that this is the first time any family will have come to stay with Dusty and me as a married couple. I have literally been putting thought and planning into this for a few months because I'm just so excited. And today I really feel like the Lord spoke to me and said that this year for Advent he's giving me a physical, experiential way to celebrate. Because any preparation or expectation that occurs in me as I'm awaiting the arrival of my family can directly correlate to the preparation and expectation that our lives take on as we wait to celebrate Christmas, and ultimately as we wait to meet Jesus face to face.

A Dream Two Years In The Making...

...finally came true today:

To be more precise this dream comes true on Monday after work. Which, in turn, will give me something to look forward to as I drudge through my workday.

Oh Nikon D3000... I can't wait to learn how to use you.

Love This

I periodically blog about how much I love Boston Big Picture. Well, here's more reason why!

The Band's Visit

Last night whilst I was home all alone I watched a movie called The Band's Visit. It was super good and here is my favorite scene. I'm going to set it up for you because on this clip there are no subtitles.

Khaled is the man in the blue uniform, and is part of an Egyptian police band that gets stuck in a small Israeli town. There is no hotel so some of the locals take them in. Khaled ends up going out on the town with Papi, the guy in the white, somewhat imposing on a double date.

What we don't see in this clip is that both Khaled and Papi are terrible roller skaters. The girl that is Papi's date (the one in this scene) tries to get him to come out into the middle with her, but he ends up pushing her down and telling her to leave him alone.

Hence, the girl starts crying. The dancing couple the Papi talks to at the beginning of this clip is of no help, but Khaled is quite a ladies man and guides Papi in how to make her feel better.

This is like an Israeli Napolean Dynamite, I'm not even kidding. Just watch, and trust me, subtitles are not needed. The whole movie was two thumbs up and you can instantly stream it from Netflix.

Enjoy!

Real? Hoax? You Decide

Dusty just showed me this video:



I thought it was a joke, perhaps a funny video made for a sermon or something. But then I noticed the website. Click here.

You can pre-order it starting tomorrow! Coming Easter 2010!

So what do you think? Real? Clever sermon illustration?

Catching Up

Admittedly, I have not blogged in a long, long while. Maybe it was an unplanned hiatus. Probably.

Anyways, let's catch up shall we?

On November 2, the niece turned one year old! I cannot believe it's been a year. Here's a picture of the ummm... happy little party animal during cake time:

Is happy the right word?

What else, what else? Ah! As of this week I am no-longer-a-temp-officially-employed at a company that shall remain nameless. I work in Collections and it's a grind. I'm thankful for the job and the extra money is great, but nevertheless... it's a grind.

Is it too soon to decorate for Christmas? Quick poll around our house, I say kind of and Dusty says definitely.

This video is funny:



My friend Devon is going to have a baby soon, I mean really, really soon and a few weeks ago I took some pictures of her and her husband Josh. Here is one of my favorites:

If you are friends with her on facebook you should go look at the whole album. I'm pretty proud of my work. :)

Here are some books I've read recently:

• River Town by Peter Hessler: This book is great if you love China, love the Peace Corp, and especially if you love both
• Unbroken by Tracy Elliot: This book was pretty good; very interesting look at someone who came from nothing and now has something. I didn't love it though.
• Cirque du Freak: A Living Nightmare by Darren Shan: I've heard the movie is trash, but the book was ok. It's definitely childish, but then towards the end it takes this really dark turn and now I want to know what happens. Special thanks to April for suggesting this series.
• Inkheart by Cornelia Funke: (Currently Reading) Again, this is not an "adult read" or anything, but it's pretty cute so far.
  

Here is some music I am digging right now:

• Is God Listening by Vineyard Music: this is a great little worship album and two songs (Cloud by Day and Flood) were written by the pastor at our beloved church back in Campbellsville. You can get it on iTunes
• Noble Beast by Andrew Bird: My friend Adam T told me about this one, I think. Anyways, I've become increasingly fond of this album for the past month or so. It's so diverse and lyrically sound.
  
• Consumed by Jesus Culture: Heaven touches Earth anytime this album is played in my car or in my house. That's a great feeling.

I think I'm done catching up now. Next post: youth retreat recap!

Oh My Soul

This week has been a roller coaster. Dusty and I have both been sick with "flu-like symptoms," I've had to miss work, and perhaps even worse, we had to miss the first few sessions of the Streets on Fire conference back at the Vineyard.

But we made ourselves go last night. And it was like a long, cool drink for this parched heart of mine.

They brought in a worship leader from Morning Star, and you can check him out here, he's great. After the second song last night, he starts strumming a new tune on his guitar. The rest of the band (Vineyard's very own Embers) start giving each other quizzical looks, "this is not on the set list," kind of looks. And he says, "So this song has been on my mind all day. It's an oldie. Uhh... we'll see what happens."

Remember that camp song, where you'd sing really loud with obnoxious hand motions: "I'VE GOT A RIVER OF LIFE FLOWING OUT OF ME! MAKES THE LAME TO WALK AND THE BLIND TO SEE! OPENS PRISON DOORS, SETS THE CAPTIVES FREE! I'VE GOT A RIVER OF LIFE FLOWING OUT OF ME!"

Yeah, it was that song. At first I was appalled. Lord, I am not singing that song. No way.. no way.. no... hey... wait... This. Is. Awesome!

And the place erupts and I kid you not when I say the presence of the Lord descended in a way that I've never quite felt before.

All because of a camp song.

The rest of the conference is being wrapped up this morning, but you can download all the audio archives at www.vineyardcampbellsville.com

And I'm gonna warn you: these sermons are not for the faint of heart! The one I heard last night was chock-full of wisdom, but some of it I feel I need to search out further and glean for myself. It's just very, very contrary to a lot of stuff I've been taught in my life. But contrary does not always mean bad.

I Really Should Blog More

TODAY is D's birthday. I'm not telling how old he is, but if you're still in high school, he's older than you. At least, that's what he told one of the youth today:

Youth Kid: "Dusty, how old are you?"

Dusty: (pointedly) "Older than you."

I declared this weekend birthday weekend, and it's been great! We got to hang out with friends, family, and he bought a bass amp, which looks great with the decor in our dining room. And by that I mean no, it doesn't, find another place to put it.

So happy birthday my love, and here's to a great 23rd year!

Oooops... ah well!

Epic Win or Epic Fail?

I tried to quit my temp job today.

I say tried because instead of saying, "So long and don't let the door hit you on the way out," they said,

"Don't quit. We've got two permanent positions open with a raise and benefits. Take your pick."

I totally didn't see that coming.

And yeah, I have some mixed feelings about it. But tentatively, I start October 12th.

So this is either an epic win because I essentially/accidentally/without intention leveraged myself into a better job,

or an epic fail as sometimes I feel like I can't do anything right--not even quit a job.

How was your Friday?

Blasts From the Past

8 Movies From Da 'Hood... My Child-hood:

Bangarang...

See anything missing?

Hey Good Lookin'

Dating Advice: A Top 7 List

1. As a rule of thumb, homemade cards are far superior to store bought. I can't think of many store bought cards I've saved, but I've got a whole folder full of homemade ones.
2. Guys: If you invite a girl to a study group that consists of only you and her, and she just so happens to bring homemade cookies, eat the stinking cookies. In fact, if a woman ever cooks or bakes for you, for any reason, eat it and like it.
   
3. Girls: Don't go to a study group that consists only of you and a guy.
   
4. For my Campbellsville friends: going up the road and then hanging out with your current object of affection does not a good time make.
5. Early on, find out what kind of baggage the other is carrying. You may only be toting a knapsack, but if you're still not strong enough to help carry the other's load, shut it down. You will thank yourself later on down the road, and will also look wise beyond your years.
6. Dinner and a movie is a great first date for a number of reasons. Look for the subtleties: does he chew weird? does she have poor taste in movies? If the answer to either of those is yes, well... maybe they aren't Mr./Mrs. Right.
7. People watch together. You'll learn a lot about how the other sees his/her surroundings, and if you are on the same page.

All right friends, what would you add to the list? Comment. Go.

500th Post!

I just noticed that this will be my 500th post.

What better way to make good use of a post than to brag on Dusty a little bit?

He took these really incredible pictures of stuff around our "neighborhood" if you can call it that. You have a house next to you, we have a barn hanging tobacco.

Click here to see his Flickr album. You'll be happy. And here's an enticing little preview:

Yikes

There is a church that I pass on my way to work everyday that is beginning to live in infamy, in my mind anyway, for having terrible church signs.

Check out this jewel I saw last week:

General Sunday Stuff

Currently reading:
Currently Listening To:
Currently Anxiously Anticipating:

Currently Loving:

Currently Scenting My Home With:
Currently Plotting To Purchase:

Check it Out

I love looking at the Boston Big Picture's photo essays. I just looked at one of their recent ones about Hindu festivities and it's amazing!

Click here to see them all, and enjoy!

Yet Another Baby Video

I can't help it! I'm just so enamored by Gabby. She's growing, crawling, pulling, learning, moving, and, if you can't tell from this video, becoming quite the comedian. Believe me when I tell you that this is just as cute as the duck and peek a boo. A little tip: make sure your volume is up. Enjoy!

Happy Birthblog!

Today is my friend Adam T's b-day.

Adam and I have been friends for a long time, solidified by the fact our parents were/are friends and we all almost sunk a boat together.

Regrettably, most of my incriminating pictures of Adam from high school are back in Missouri. I did however dig a few out of the archives and scanned them to the ole lappy. Enjoy!

(Adam, at prom as a sophomore... in college. His main job that night was "designated camera holder" if I do so recall.)

(Adam, Six Flags St. Louis. Exciting times.)

(Adam, no caption necessary.)

SO, Adam T, I hope you read this today! Have a Happy Birthday! Sorry I can't be your backup anymore.

Holla!

Blogging Whilst High On Allergy Meds

My nose is so stuffed up right now it feels like it has detached itself from my face. Perhaps it has. Damn allergies.

My friend Randi posted this on the FB today and it's a pretty amazing tribute to one of my favorite childhood. Feast your eyes:



Speaking of childhood, my dad became pretty famous in our little family for his catchphrase, "I don't want to go fast people, I just want to go the speed limit!" This would mainly make its emergence during family vacations (which, I'm afraid, is a whole 'nutther blog post; we've had some doozies in our day) and was met with much waving of the hands and honking of the horn.

That said, I am beginning to understand my father's angst. I would like to give a shout out to old man, old lady, any person driving farm machinery, out of state 15 passenger vans, and my all time favorite the red 2000-recent mustang convertible doing 30 in a 55. You all suck and should be "safely and without harm driven off the road." (Yes, that's another Don Hamlin phrase.)

My Two Current Favorite Commercials:





Today I discovered that my crap-puter at work has less than 1G of RAM. To be exact it has .99. Couldn't they have just splurged for the extra .01? Really?

Seasonal allergies, over and out.

5 Years

It has just dawned on me that I have lived in Kentucky for five years this month.

Five years is a really long time to me. And these are the years that have shaped the very core of who I am.

Here's a little picture tribute to some awesome things that the Lord has brought my way in the past five years:

Long Lasting Friendships

Love (and no, I had no intention of coming to college just to get married! I worked hard for my degree!)

Speaking of, A Diploma

A Niece to Love (need you see more pictures? Yes, you need.)

Teachers
I've had the privilege of sitting under a few teachers that have shaped my theology and walk with the Lord forever. Mainly, coming from this church.

Provision
No matter what our state in life, the Lord has told me two things: 1.) I will never go without and 2.) I will never be "too poor" to help others worse off than me.

Just a few snapshots, that may not mean much to you (unless, of course, you're in one of them. Then you might take a more vested interest) but to me mean the world.

Thanks Lord, for all you've done, what you're doing, and what you're going to do.

Also...

Also, I just have a lot on my mind okay?
This would definitely make more sense if you read the post below this.

For The Sake of Arguement

This blog title doesn't mean a thing. I just typed the first phrase the popped into my head.

My mom got onto me today because I haven't updated my blog in a while. But the thing is, nothing is happening. I wake up, get ready, work-work-work, go to the gym, come home, eat something, and crash. And repeat that 5 of the 7 days every week.

BUT today, I did take a detour on my way home to see the in-laws, and of course, Gabby. Here's a picture of her taken last month in Pennsylvania that they showed me tonight.

Peek-a-Boo

Gabby is now a little over the 9 month mark. 9 months!

She is crawling, climbing, babbling, and of course, playing peek-a-boo.

This video, to me anyways, is about as cute as the duck vid. Enjoy!

Campbellsville We Love Thee

The words to mine and D's alma mater are border line sacrilege, but I thought it an appropriate title for this post because

we just got home

from the place that feels more like home

than home does.

*Sigh.*

Yard Sale Review

I did not take pictures at the yard sale. I just didn't, okay? It was hot and I got cranky.

But we did have some success and made my friend Charity's trip around the world just a little closer to being funded. Here are some things that people bought that I just found hilarious:

• 2 railroad spikes
• a bird's nest craft circa 1974 (with dust on it that was about that old, too!)
• a witch's mask & wig
• a 4-wheeler helmet that I had priced at $3... that guy probably walked away thinking, "Those kids are suckers! This thing's worth at least $25!" And he would be right, so joke's on me...
• little things you put on the end of corn on the cobb
• a sunflower wreath (this is actually terribly sad: the lady's late husband was crazy about sunflowers and she bought it to put on his grave... truly one man's trash is another man's treasure)

And the mountain of clothes that we had? I've never seen so many people willing to pilfer through something! Everyone told me when I was collecting donations that clothes didn't sell very well at yard sales. Well, they would be wrong in this case!

Now is time to rest, relax, and recuperate the rest of my Saturday. With any luck, I may just get some laundry done and take a short nap.

Maybe.

Now THIS is Comedy

Funny Videos | Funny Cartoons | More Video Clips

My Suggestion//Current Fave

If you haven't bought this album yet, do yourself a favor and get it now. No excuses, it's on iTunes.

Then, play it in your car on the way to work, or in the house while you're cleaning, or listen to it while you exercise.

I promise, no matter where you listen to it or what you are doing, it will turn into a worship experience.

I was listening to track 5, Desert Song, on the way back from Florida in June and got so worked up with how good the Lord is I was crying and the stewardess started giving me rather worried looks.

This is one musical purchase ye shall not regret.

Take Notes Boys!

This is what I found waiting for me when I got home from work today.
Because it was the end of the first week at my new job.
And because my husband is awesome.

It's been a good Friday!

Family Stuff

My parents are cracking me up right now. I just got off the phone with my mom, which turned in to a 3-way conversation, with her in the middle relaying messages between my dad and myself.

It all started when I got a message in my inbox today entitled "Don & Jody's Vacation Itinerary."

You see, they're leaving next week for a whirlwind trip through Colorado, Utah, Las Vegas (where my mother swears she'll play the pennies), Arizona, and New Mexico.

Here's what the attachment was entitled:

Ah yes! Have I mentioned that every time my grandparents go out of town my grandma calls me to let me know where they're going, when they're leaving, and when they'll be back? Must be a mother-son kind of thing.

Either way, I hope they have a good time and that my mom wins big! And luckily, I'll be able to know what they're doing at every hour of every day they'll be gone.

Maybe I should print it off and hang it at my cubicle.

Feeling (a little) Autumnal

I am over this whole summer thing.

I've found myself the past week or so literally craving fall. It's my favorite season for a number of reasons:


::1:: Football! Go Colts, Go Steelers? ::2:: The perfect fall album you ask? Thinks of Her by Andy Davis ::3::Look at that amazing fall boot! I soon shall have a pair of my own. ::4::Ah, candy corn... I love it when mixed with those little pumpkins and peanuts. Blissful! ::5:: Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin from Bath & Body Works smells amazing ::6:: The changing leaves, who doesn't love that? ::7::Pumpkin roll! I've never made one but I have plans to as soon as I deem that it feels "fall" enough outside. ::8::Apple Cider. 'Nuff said. ::9:: The Office cames back in September... not a second too soon.

I hope I've inspired you to look forward to Fall as much as I am!

Tomorrow, Lovely Tomorrow

I have been out of work since December 12, 2008.

That's over half a year.

But as of tomorrow, I will be employed at an imaging clerk at a local cell phone company's HQ in Elizabethtown!

I couldn't be more excited! This has been in the works for a week or two, but I got the official word this morning, so I figured I could leak it onto my blog.

Yessss!

Dreams//Visions//And the Like

On Wednesday I had a job interview that went rather well. As in, pending the signatures of a few more higher up, I got hired.

I'm super excited, but I also know that there is a slight possibility that I won't get the job. I mean, Mr. CEO could decide he's having a bad day and push my paperwork to the bottom of the sea.

Either way, I'm good. Before I woke up the day of the interview, I had this dream. Or maybe a vision. I had a "formula" for how to get this job, and to make it I took one cup of some fluffy mixture of something and mixed it with water. However, and here's where I say it's more of a vision, floating above the mixing bowl was the number 145.

And right before I woke up, someone in the dream said Psalm 145. So I read it.

Enter awesomeness: (vv. 15-19)

The eyes of all look to you in hope; you give them their food as they need it.

When you open your hand, you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.

The Lord is righteous in everything he does; he is filled with kindness.

The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth.

He grants the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cries for help and rescues them.

I'm not afraid to admit that I am that needy.

How about you?

A Jumble of Variables

This is a pretty accurate picture of what I've looked like all day.

My dad gave me a pep talk this morning and said something that has been ringing in my ears all day: "You've got to make a plan Emily, and then work on the backup plans for your backup plans."

But what do you do when you don't really like any of your choices?

I guess that's what being an adult is all about. Biting the bullet, swallowing your pride, and sometimes looking like the bad guy.

Consider it Pure Joy?

Today in Sunday School (that's still weird to say by the way) we looked at the first few verses of James 1. Here's what it says:

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." (vv. 2-4)

Brother Dave is in the habit of asking very pointed questions, so he says to me, "Emily, what trials did you face this week?"

I rattled off my answer and we got to talking about this verse and what it means for our "trials" and "tribulations."

Can I pause and say that sometimes, and Lord don't strike me dead, I think this verse is a little cliche? Actually it's not the verse that's cliche, it's people like you and me who make it cliche. Because when a friend of ours if have a rough time of it, we like to remind them, "Consider it pure joy..." But we definitely don't like be reminded of it ourselves.

And sometimes, there's just no stinking joy, okay?!

B. Dave said something that I thought was simple yet profound, "Maybe if we don't consider it joy, we aren't really considering it."

I'm not going to lie, I've got a nerve-wracking week ahead of me. And I don't know what's ahead of you. And I'm also not going to offer you a nice little Christian Cliche with a bow on top.

But I will say that I am going to try to renovate my viewpoint this week. Because if I'm not considering whatever-it-is as joyous, then perhaps I'm simply not considering it the way the Lord considers it.

What About You?

Being on the job hunt can be ulcer inducing, and I don't care what the economic climate looks like. I really got my hopes up about a job last week and have yet to hear anything from them. The more I sit and wait, the more a see the opportunity drying up.

And I believe the Lord has given me a word about that.

This is kind of like Elijah in 1 Kings 17. He goes up to his mortal enemy, prophesies a serious drought, and then the Lord leads him to a brook with water. He sustains Elijah with water and food from ravens (and we can read about ravens again in Luke 12) but then the brook dries up.

And I would think that the brook doesn't all of a sudden dry up. It just suffered the normal effects of a drought. Can you imagine being Elijah, sitting there, watching the Lord's provision dry up? And knowing that there is indeed a drought because he was the one who prophesied it in the first place?!

A confidence crusher, to be sure.

But as with all things the brook dried up for a reason. There was a widow and her son who needed sustaining, just as Elijah needed sustaining. (Aha! Even in the Old Testament we see that true religion is caring for widows and orphans! James 1:27)

So Elijah goes, the widows tells him she's preparing their last meal, but through the Lord's miraculous provision the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry until the day the LORD gave rain on the land. (v. 14)

And what do you know but the Lord remained true to his word? He does that, you know.

Sometimes, I guess things dry up for a reason. If that brook had remained full of water, why would Elijah had needed to go anywhere else? He could have just waited out the drought with all the provision he needed.

Let's face it, we all need provision for something. And it may not be finances or employment, that's just where I'm coming from. You may have family that needs deliverance, health issues, etc. Or all of those. Heck, I've got all of those!

Dusty preached a sermon a few weeks ago and he said something that I absolutely love, "Jesus didn't come to earth just to make me feel better about where I'm going when I die."

The power of the Holy Spirit is for us now. He delights in providing for us now. He is good to us now. Not just for our future in Heaven. Here. And we need to remind our hearts on a daily basis, especially in a season of need, to be confident that we will see his goodness in the land of the living.

So what about you? Does this resonate in your heart somewhere? Comments, please!

Car Tales

Dusty and Brother Dave are standing in my driveway right now. The hood to my car is up and they are just peering inside.


Why, might you ask? What could be so interesting under the hood?

Well, it's only your friendly, neighborhood family of MICE that has decided to take up residence in my engine!

It all started yesterday when Dusty and Matt the Cousin-in-Law were looking at it. Dusty found a black sock wadded up in front of the air filter. In the sock was a little pink writhing thing. Then out popped Momma Mouse! Matt and Dusty, I'm not afraid to say, jumped quite a bit!

They disposed of the sock and we went and bought a new battery today. Dusty was hoping with the nest gone, Momma Mouse would just pack up and move away.

We put the new battery in, and still the car wouldn't start. Dusty was on the phone with my dad, and needed to raise the hood, so I stepped over the help. And then promptly exploded in a scream as I saw that a nest was built on top of the engine and there were other writhing baby mice in it!!!

Currently, we don't know what is wrong with the car. I wouldn't be surprised to see that some very important wires have been chewed through.

I'll keep you updated, but know that this comes from a very disturbed Emily.