I think King David was a dancer

Dear Life, 

       Can I let you in on a little secret? I listened to the following song and danced around in my living room. That's right, all nine minutes and forty-seven seconds of it. While my roommates were gone. At 11:30 in the afternoon. It filled me with such great joy. For about 5 seconds I realized how silly I was and then I stopped caring and kept rejoicing that I have love, hope, and freedom in CHRIST. I was jumping up and down and movin around the room and lifting my hands. Sometimes I fear people aren't ready for me. They don't realize what I am capable of. The long spectrum of weirdness. Like spontaneous dancing alone in my apartment! 

I encourage you to embrace those moments when you can be free and joyful and it's all because of what thee God has done in your life...and do something WEIRD/FUN.

Then, you'll experience how liberating it is when nothing else seems to matter. 

so here...i DARE you...

His, 

Kelly 

p.s.- make sure the volume is way up :)

On far off places

Dear Life, 

      It is time for my national geographic findings PART DEUCE. 

You may or may not remember this post. Without further ado... 

We begin with Auckland, New Zealand (click to enlarge). This one goes out to my dear friend and roommate, Liana, who will soon be traversing through these parts, embarking on new adventures. America can never keep her long enough ;)

Along the harbor this photo stands out to yours truly because I have always loved the view of boats on the water...can't quite pinpoint why...perhaps it is its peaceful quality. And it holds the hope that soon the vessel will be off at sea!

I do love a good nature photo but I really love a good capturing of people. Different people, unknown people, cross-culture people. I couldn't resist those jubilant faces. These adorbsiebabes are amidst the barley fields of Mustang, Nepal. Maybe the reeds were tickling them :)

A classic bar in Havana, Cuba. This photo shares with us the cultural richness of Havana. Oh how I would love to order some expresso or perhaps a Cuban liquer from this spot and just people watch! Apparently Ernest Hemmingway has strong influence on this local bar. He was a fan of Cuba so Cuba is a fan of him.

This charming photo was taken in old town Quebec, Canada. I. Love. This. I want to stroll along this street during the holiday season and think warm thoughts. It is Canada's oldest city so I bet it is has the fullness of history, too. 

      Well, that was simultaneously exciting and depressing for me. Now I want to travel. But, I must remind myself how content I am to be living in the Shire. This place can be pretty exciting, and when it's not- well I welcome the dullness and ease, ya know?

still high hopes to travel the world, 

Kelly 

p.s.- Okay folks I am dying to know which photo you liked best or which place you would want to visit?!

On joy in the little (& big) things

Dear Life,

       Well, you have done it again. Here I am, in transition mode. Well, I am slowly moving out of transition mode, but still. Camp is over (POOP) and school has started. But, the Lord has once again proven Himself GOOD. But I want to say this not just because I am happy circumstantially. But because He is teaching me, and stretching me, and showing me that not all seasons are filled with sorrow and forced joy. Sometimes the joy is just evident. And sometimes we have to grab the joy! I have to say--> you know what, there are things I can complain about and there are hardships I still struggle with, but I choose to focus on the blessings before me. I choose to recognize that life is not about happy or sad. Times are mostly an intermingling of those two. And sometimes they are more one than the other. I choose to take what I learned from working at Forest Home and apply it in Harrisonburg even if I do mourn after my summer. I choose to be incredibly thankful for The Shire, my new home, and see what opportunity I have at real intentional living with friends at a similar lifeplace as myself. I will grab that joy and hold fast to knowing that I have a Lord who is for me. I have a Lord who wants to use me. 

        Anyway, it has been an interesting past 2ish weeks. 

        Another note: I have been eating hummus like it's my job! Deli-made hummus from the Co-op. Hummus with tomatoes, wheat thins, red pepper, on a sandwich w/ avocados, etc. Can't get enough. 

        And, I am taking Spanish classes with professors who seem wonderful and friends in my classes. :)

        Here is something new- if you want to pray for me...I have been thinking a lot these past couple months about money & how in debt I am with loans. I guarantee if you are reading this- I am more in debt than you are. Trust me, I aint bragging neither. Pray that I trust the Lord and that He provides monetarily for me as I begin to pay those off in the next year. It can be very scary. 

adiós mis lectores/as, 

Kelly 

p.s.- shoutout to my BROTHA who started his own blog! I hope he keeps it up...hint hint! ;)

On ATTRACTION.

HE IS ATTRACTIVE. 

i just...i can never get over it...

And THEY are attractive...

why not me????

Perhaps you find this a strange posting to begin with after my long absence. I do not care. 

in love with fictional characters, 

Kelly

p.s.- it's good to be back. I hope yall stay tuned :)

On sunshine and sunburns

Dear Lifesies, 

         Perhaps in a twisted sort of way I enjoy a good sunburn. There are several reasons for this. For starters, the result. For me, the most likely end result will be turning my skin into that nice olivey brown color it takes on. The color that I always considered natural until I moved to a horrible place they call the "east coast". (just kidding folks, i love [most of] the ec) 

       Another reason I love getting sunburned is because it makes me feel alive. You know how it seems most of the male gender enjoy inflicting pain on themselves at one point or another? Be it wrestling, boxing, singeing off their leg hairs with a lighter, playing bloody knuckles, doing belly flops...and I could go on? Well this is my rabbit hole into that strange phenomenon. The pain feels good, its warm and stinging sensation reminds me that I am alive and that rays of the sun are in me! AH!

        This afternoon I departed the beach being fairly assured that I had been burned by the sun. I was excited with, albeit, a bit of nervousness as well regarding the pain that was sure to accompany my new state. Now, today I did not intend to get sunburned. Yesterday, yes, yesterday I might have been purposefully careless in order to ensure some color. But, today I applied sunscreen, just not very well and probably should have reapplied more often. Nonetheless, here I am, burnt. It's a funny idea to think of myself as burnt, isn't it?

EXCEPTION: the lateral sides of my thighs. I heave a huge sigh as I inform you that the right side of my right thigh, and the left side of my left thigh are still quite pale. They are living in a cottage with 7 dwarfs. In fact, they appear even whiter up next to the tan/red hue of the rest of my leg. Because the sun does not directly hit that spot as easily. It's sooo frustrating! I want an even tan!

However, this blog writer is still delightfully pleased with the discomfort of a sunburn. :)

lobsteringly yours, 

Kelly

p.s.- let us pray that peeling is not in my future!!

it don't come easily

Dear Life, 

       if a person slumbers and there is no one around to hear- do their snores make a sound? That's what I have been catching up on- sweet, sensible, sleep. Although this does present the problem of more dreaming; and if you do not already know I HATE DREAMS. 

      I was digging into an orange earlier and it's juices were spilling out onto my hands and it tasted quite delectable. Simple things. 

      I tend to live out my day in an entirely selfish way. Especially if that day is in the middle of summer, with my job still a good week away and no other real obligations. I want to work on that. Mom needs help sorting out boxes and such for the house move (insert sad emoticon and actual forlorn face here). And the Lord deserves a good chunk of my day reserved for processing Israel and praying for life, friends, Zababdeh (small town in the West Bank), etc. Even the beach has not received my adequate attention. There are grains of sand to be scuffled, waves to be surfed, and sunsets to be admired. I am sounding more selfless already, aren't I?

But for serious, here is to glorifying the Lord more in my every day life!

zealously yours, 

Kelly 

p.s.- Another smattering of thoughts for a post because too many giant events and overarching thoughts to even begin something worthwhile. Beggin your pardon- I'm sure you don't mind.

Holy, Holy, Holy

I am departing for Israel tomorrow. 

It is happening. If I continue to think/talk about it I will FREAK OUT AAHHHH ASLKJHCGDUSHDUWFTCVGSBHIJHBTDR9876TBJHG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Let me just say, I cannot wait for encounters with my Savior and Father on this trip, but I am fearful of trying and worrying and over analyzing and comparing and too much journaling and not enough journaling and feeling emotional etc etc

I just want to be. With Him.

Soon, and very soon.