Community and How It's Unexpected

I just have to get something off my chest and it's not even a bad something to speak about at all. It's just that right now in this very moment I am so overwhelmed by how the Lord has provided Dusty and me with community no matter what our position. In the loneliest two-and-a-half years of our life we found a niche and it was precious. In the current newest season of our life he's given us an old community to reconnect with. He's given a new community to bond with. We've never done without and we never will. I'm so so thankful.

A New Year

I really would like to try to blog more. I'm not being all "New Year's Resolution-y" or anything. It's just that life is so interesting right now and I need as many outlets as I can get to process things.

Speaking of the New Year, I have to say it's my second favorite holiday behind Christmas. There's something so special about this time of year. You reflect on the old and look forward to the new. I'm somebody who is constantly evaluating myself; from job performance to how I have things organized at home. I'm constantly looking to improve and streamline.

Our tiny Snyder household is really looking forward to 2012!

Whereas 2011 was a year of change (moving, new jobs, newer job, moving again!) this year we're all about maintenance. That's the word I felt the Lord speak over us for 2012.

Maintenance has a two-fold meaning here: (a) remain steady in the new things we were given in 2011 and (b) do some maintenance on things in our life that took a backseat in the chaos of 2011.

Our church is big on new years and the chance to dream about the coming year. It's not too late for you, my dear procrastinators! What would you like to see happen in 2012?

The Best Way to Spread Christmas Cheer

"The best way to spread Christmas cheer is staying up all night to get your homework done so you can start making Christmas cookies the rest of the week!"

Seriously, so excited!

Thanksgiving

There's this running joke in my family about how sometimes holidays for us turn into Festivus.

What? You don't know what Festivus is?



So, back on track: this year around Thanksgiving I feel a little Festivus growing in my heart. Maybe it's the rainy weather or the fact that we're in the middle of yet another big transition but I feel like I want to Air Some Grievances and participate in the Feats of Strength.

Or look at this, because it just makes me laugh:

Another great way to get out of the Thanksgiving doldrums is to watch one of the only known movies specifically centered around Thanksgiving:

And of course, there will come that time around 11 pm on Thanksgiving night where I drag Dusty out into the cold and begin our Black Friday tradition: Dusty complaining in a half serious/ half joking way about how miserable he is and me silently cheering on the people in front of us who start to fight those jokers trying to cut in line at Old Navy.

New New Beginnings

Well hello to the small handful of folks who read my blog! It has been a whirlwind of a past few weeks. OK, months.

Here's some crazy awesome news: remember that new job I started in August? Well, I'm starting another new one! I've been given a "promotion" so to speak to a full time Resident Director of the freshman girl's dorm. This means a few things:

1.) We have to move. Again. Luckily, it's only across campus
2.) We have to put even more stuff in storage. I am a-ok with this, for the most part.
3.) Dusty will be living in a girl's dormitory. He's a-ok with this, for the most part.
4.) I'll get to start learning an entirely new job. So far, on day 2 in the office, Post-it notes are my best friend. I mean they're everywhere. To the point where it's sort of embarrassing.

Stay tuned for hopefully more regular posting. I mean, after I move, and finish out my first semester in grad school. Then I'll do it. Probably.

Bumble-Ardy

I was listening NPR's Fresh Air on the way home from class tonight and Terry Gross was interviewing author Maurice Sendak, best known for writing Where the Wild Things Are.

This interview was one of the most honest, raw, heartbreaking, and beautiful interviews I've ever heard.

You can look at some samples of his new book Bumble-ardy here.

Listen to the interview. I know it's 20 minutes long but it's so, so worth your time. Here's one of the more haunting quotes from the interview; he's looking back on his life and in his current position: he's just lost two of the people that he loved most in this world within the past few months:

"I have nothing now but praise for my life. I'm not unhappy. I cry a lot because I miss people. They die and I can't stop them. They leave me and I love them more. ... What I dread is the isolation. ... There are so many beautiful things in the world which I will have to leave when I die, but I'm ready, I'm ready, I'm ready."

10,000 Reasons

This song is rocking me right now.

Good Stuff

Goodness

Tonight I just feel a little overwhelmed with the goodness of the Lord. I've spent some time just sitting and reflecting on my life in the past few years and the only conclusion I can come up with is that I am a product of a good Father.

I'm loving this passage from Psalm 40 out of the Message:

"But all who are hunting for you -- oh, let them sing and be happy! Let those who know what you're all about tell the world you're great and not quitting. And me? I'm a mess. I'm nothing and have nothing: make something of me. You can do it, you've got what it takes -- but God, don't put it off."

So much more is swarming through my head and heart tonight so I thought I'd share a small portion of it.

A Long Obedience

I recently started reading the book A Long Obedience in the Same Direction by Eugene Peterson. This is long overdue since my Too Cool Friend Andi recommended to me the chapter on Community many moons ago. However, I feel like my choice in reading it is very timely.

Here is a passage that really struck me today:

"The truth about me is that God made and loves me.

The truth about those sitting beside me is that God made and loves them, and each one is therefore my neighbor.

The truth about the world is that God rules and provides for it.

The truth about what is wrong with the world is that I and the neighbor sitting beside me have sinned in refusing to let God be for us, over us and in us.

The truth about what is at the center of our lives and of our history is that Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross for our sins and raised from the tomb for our salvation and that we can participate in new life as we believe in him, accept his mercy, respond to his love, attend to his commands."

Today

Dear Auntie,

Today would be your birthday, wouldn't it?
Today, I choose to remember you in your health.
As the lady who loved her obnoxious dogs.
Who used to tell me as a child when we were eating potato chips together that the folded-over ones were especially made for her, so not to eat them when I found them.
Who gave me my first car.
Who was perpetually "sending me a package."
Who took notice of my love for Beanie Babies as a kid and proceeded to inundate me with them on into my teens.
Who made sure that we got the loudest, most complicated toys for Christmas... just to irritate my dad.
Who taught me to love Black Friday shopping and how to check out at the jewelry counter in order to eliminate waiting in line.

Because really, aren't all these things (and many more) what being a good aunt is all about?

So yes, today would be your birthday. And I choose to remember you in your health.

Alone

Dusty is still up in Meade Co, which means I have a lot of time to myself right now.

I'm partly OK with this because life is about to get insane come Monday. But I also find myself just wandering around the apartment, randomly rearranging things, opening the fridge but not getting anything, checking emails, checking Facebook, looking out the window, then starting the whole cycle over again.

I'm fully aware of how corny this sounds but I feel a little lost without him around here to talk to.

When I'm alone like this I get really impulsive. Right now I'm simultaneously wanting to:

1.) Make this grilled veggie pizza I saw on PW this morning
2.) Go see my grandparents
3.) Get some ice cream
4.) Drive out to the lake
5.) Go swimming
and
6.) Buy some nails so I can hang some shelves in the bathroom

Pretty sure that ice cream one is going to win out in the end.

Young Blood

There's some songs that remind me of a certain season in my life. Like Andy Davis' Please Turn Red reminds me of my favorite years from college (so what if it's a break up song?)

Desert Song by Hillsong accurately sums up the past two and a half years of my life in Meade County. Actually, there was a lot of Hillsong/Jesus Culture happening at that time.

The Mumford and Son album Sigh No More (specifically the song The Cave) reminds me of dredging through life at Bluegrass Cellular, when I hated my job and lived for the weekends.

As I start this new season in life at Lindsey Wilson, I wonder what songs will take center stage? Right now, I'm really digging this song by The Naked and Famous:

Empty Room

This little song is a gem.

Garden of Love

In the midst of moving, changing addresses, requesting records, packing, cleaning the old house, cleaning the new apartment, unpacking, driving, dropping things off, picking things up, and general mayhem, today I received a little pick me up at one of my least favorite places on earth: the post office.

Aren't these stamps adorable?

Farewell Feline Friend

Now comes the time in our move where we are desperately trying to find a home for our feral barn cat not so feral, inside/outside house cat.

Before all you haters gonna hate, it was either a cat or a mice-infested home. Clearly we chose wisely.

We've literally asked anyone we could think of if they'd be interested in a cat with extra toes and a slight eating disorder. So far, no takers.

We even asked my parents, and they live 600 miles away.

Rudy came from Dusty's parent's stock of (at the time) 4 cats with the condition of "no givesy backsy" which, in all actuality is exactly what we're going to have to do while we try to find someone to take him.

He is hilarious! How can this not make you laugh:

 I've never seen an animal that literally looked like it would kill you, if only it could.

And really, his favorite past time?

As much as we hate (hate) admitting this, Dusty and I have grown rather attached to this little guy over the years we've been in Meade County. We always joke that one of our favorite past times is making fun of our cat, but deep down we know it's not a joke. He's infamous around our circle of friends for his curmudgeonly old man cat-itude!

So! Who wants him? No seriously, he's got to go. Santa hat not included.

Boxes, Thanksgiving Feast, and Standardized Testing

Well, we're getting into that part of the move where things start getting real.

Up until now, it's just been this big plan that we've had in our heads. We have a course of action but it just seemed so far away!

This was taken last week. Things are looking much, much worse.

But, of course, life can't be as simple as just packing a U-Haul then unloading it again.

While cleaning out the chest freezer in our garage we found, buried at the bottom, a 14 lb turkey.

Naturally, Dusty thought this would be an ideal time to cook up the bird. So while I'm (still) packing stuff up today, he's preparing a Thanksgiving feast, which involved re-opening boxes that were already taped up and ready to go. ("Where's my carving knife?" "Where's the olive oil?") Do you think I'm joking?

On top of that mountain of poultry, today I found out that in order to get my scores in time to apply for grad school, I will have to take the GRE next Tuesday. This was not negligence on my part; the GRE is being revised and test scores starting in August will be delayed by three months.

Jesus take the wheel!

What am I doing to combat the grumpies? Playing Tiny Tower on my iPad in between boxes, listening to a little Flo+The Machine, and enjoying the turkey aroma that will soon be permeating my home. Possibly some light cardio, and definitely a glass of wine tonight.

BIG News

I can finally write a post about what's been going on around these parts lately! Freedom, sweet freedom.

For a short, short exposition:

Last year I decided I wanted to start my Master's degree. There were two problems with this:

1. The program I wanted to attend is at WKU in Bowling Green (which trusty Google Maps says is about 2 hours from where I live)
2. We're broke. 

So I kind of put it on the back burner. It was one of those, "Maybe I'll do that some day," kind of things. That is, until the Lord brought it to the front. 

As of August 1st I will be an employee at Lindsey Wilson College, in Columbia, KY! I will be joining the Residence Life and Student Activities departments as an Apartment Manager and Assistant Student Activities Director. Dusty and I are so incredibly excited about joining the LWC community! We've been looking for jobs since about January, and this was the first one that we both felt we really, really wanted. 

So- what does getting my Master's degree and getting a new job have in common? As it turns out: everything!

Usually when someone gets hired at a college or university, they also receive as a benefit free tuition at that establishment. 

Listen to how good the Lord is right now: as an employee at Lindsey Wilson I can choose to go wherever I want! And guess what program is a mere hour away from where we'll be living? None other than the one at WKU, where I've been wanting to go all along.

Did you catch that? God took my two biggest obstacles and demolished them, like completely. 

Currently, our house is in shambles, I don't know where anything is, and Rudy is starting to have crazy eyes all the time. (Incidentally if anyone would like a cat with 7 toes on each paw and a slight health condition that is completely taken care of with a certain kind of food quite easily located at your local Wal-Mart, you're in luck!)

In my first draft of this post I had written out a very detailed bulleted list of our Relocation Timeline, but who cares right? Just know that we will be between Columbia and Meade County a lot, a lot, a lot this month and our last day at Buck Grove (and, consequently, Dusty's job) is July 31. 

Dusty is still looking for employment down there. Are we worried? Hello! Have you read the rest of this super long post? Of course not! The Lord is good and he will not leave us destitute. 

Phew! It feels so good to get all this out. The best part about waiting so long to tell everyone is I've largely avoided Tweeting/Facebooking in a very whiny fashion every step we've taken in packing the house so far. 

More to come! (Fun news, not whiny news. Promise.)

Neglect

I have really neglected the ole Bloggy lately.

I mean really, it's just a season of busyness.

Of summer, of youth camp, of Vacation Bible School, of... of lots of stuff.

I wish I had something fun or witty or entertaining to share with my two readers. But I don't. Fact of the matter is even if I did I've been so busy lately I probably wouldn't remember what it is.

Soon, like this fall, things will slow down. Until then, I'll have much, much more to type about this time next week.

Come back soon!

Today

Today my brain is full of about 15 different to-do lists.

I'm grouchy about gas prices and the amount of driving we're going to have to do this summer.

Money, I just keep thinking about money (or the lack thereof!)

Today, I helped a woman whose brain is full of "how am I going to feed my children?"

She's grouchy because she doesn't have a car and has to walk everywhere this summer.

Money, she's just not sure how much longer she can survive the lack thereof.

Isn't it funny how someone's "lack thereof" is another person's abundance? Today, I recognize that the Lord is the giver of my abundance, and today, I remember that with abundance comes the great and wonderful responsibility to give it away.

And I will do just that. Today and always.