I’ve been pretty low-key about owning a house in t-minus two days. But no more of this low-key crap. I’m ecstatic. I finally got my named changed to Kristi Clements (it’s been a lie on this blog for quite a while. and on my insurance. go figure.) So that made me feel much more married and getting a house makes me feel waaaay more married. I am telling Bran that it’s official as of Friday. August 1st, we are a real, grown-up, big time bill-paying, house-owning, grass-cutting, house-cleaning, weed-wacking family. And we all have the name Clements. awesome.
two things to share:
1. My feet. Not a normal topic of blog posts, I am sure. But my feet are driving me crazy. If you know me, you know that I’ve had some blood blisters the size of Texas on the bottom of feet this whole summer, pretty much. It’s so annoying. My feet are like a man’s feet. Like, for real. They are tougher than nails on the bottom. It’s really quite disgusting. If I were to step on a nail, I feel like it wouldn’t even phase my feet. But, let me tell you, if I wear shoes with backs on them or socks, my feet are blistered up like crazy. So, rainbows, chacos, and sandals save my life (well, really just my feet.)
2. Today my friend Meagan comes home from the Philippines. Unfortunately, home isn’t Columbia, but at least she’s 2 hours away & a phone call away now! So, pray for her safe travel. I actually have no idea when she lands. But pray for her right now, please. She’s been an awesome Nanny to children in an orphanage in the Philippines all summer long. I praise God for her willingness to go and share His love. Let me tell you, she’s around kids 24/7. She’s an elementary school teacher, a big sister to a soon-to-be 1st grader (who she lives with!), and then a nanny to an orphanage in the summer. I’m sure that’s easy, right…? yeah. sure.
and ps-My husband is at home AWAKE after he hasn’t slept in like 30-something hours. thank you, Brandon for working to provide for your family. Thank you for loving Jesus enough to be a bi-vocational minister even when you work a bazillion hours at your “paying” job and work 24/7 at your church job, too. Because even when you aren’t working, you are praying, thinking, and dreaming. And things like this make me love you so much more–and miss you more, too. I love you, B.
It’s nearing the end of July. Today I heard on the radio that it’s supposed to get up to 101 degrees today. Awesome. Then I thought, “Well, at least summer is coming to a close and it will start getting less hot soon.” And still then I thought, “Oh, then there’s August…the hottest month of all.” So, cheers to my first summer working, being white, pasty, and not having a hint of tan, and apartment complex swimming pools with no time to go to it.
“Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it.” -Russell Baker
this is where i want to be…
July 18, 2008
right now. with rain falling on a tin roof. and it be in Guatemala. and B by my side.
the end. happy friday.
oh for real…?
July 17, 2008
Sunday we went tubing. I had seen the bruises on Beth’s legs, heard stories of it being freezing cold, etc. But I wasn’t really scared. Well, the river wanted to scare the crap out of me and it did so. I now will never get in the river again, I’m sure. I probably won’t even look at it as we drive by. “If you fall, get back up and do it again” doesn’t apply to my mind. One time when I was in middle school, I was doing my crazy back flip, turn, dive deals off the diving board (my grandparents had a pool and we were there every day…seriously.) Well, I busted my head on the diving board. I didn’t cry or freak out and I didn’t bleed too badly. I just had a little bit of blood on my forehead. Well, my mom made me get up and do the stupid crazy dive again. “If you fall once and bump your head, do it again unless you’re dead.” After that I never did it again. Thank goodness I didn’t hit my head for the second time. I can hear my mom now– ”If you fall twice and bump your head…”
So, no more tubing down a river for this girl. My motto is unlike my mother’s. I say: “If you fall once, don’t be dumb enough to do it again unless you are expecting to get hurt again. And don’t whine if you get hurt because you knew what would happen.” Mine doesn’t rhyme.
There are “rapids” in the river. I didn’t know they were as “tough” as they are. All of these words are in quotes because these aren’t like crazy waterfall-like rapids or anything and they probably aren’t that tough. My rear-end was just at the wrong place at the wrong time. So, needless to say, I have sutures and a messed-up tailbone. Awesome. My parents didn’t even skip a beat when I told them… this is my life. This isn’t weird at all to happen to me. “Oh, for real.. stitches in my butt?” is all I could muster up saying.
Ps- don’t buy these to go down a river. Spend at least 10 bucks!
today.
July 10, 2008
I’m annoyed easily today. And that’s no good. I need an attitude adjustment today. I need to realize to suck it up.
With that said, I’ve realized today what my calling is! During lunch, I went home, laid in the floor of my apartment’s living room (with Pacey crying in the kitchen because I wouldn’t let her out) and relaxed. I made all of my muscles, limbs, and bones (if that’s even possible) relax. I felt like a yoga chick on my yoga mat in a yoga studio. I talked to God. Then for 3/4 of the time, I listened to God. It was refreshing, wonderful, and very much needed. And he spoke to me! I love when this happens. And it was like one of those times when you really know you are hearing Him and not what you want Him to say. I had read this earlier this morning:
“I have found my calling: my call is love.” St. Therese of Lisieux
And after I had been annoyed all day by people (see top where I confess I’m easily bothered), contacting insurance consultants about missionary insurance for my students because they keep getting their stuff stolen, worrying (oops. I worried) about money and everything that you have to pay for to purchase a home, and hearing bad news from home… I had a good mind to listen to Jesus.
And He said to me…drumroll please… to love. He told me to love others more than myself. To realize that just last night I was telling Brandon how little our problems are. I am pretty sure that my motto for life has been set in stone as of today: I have a lot to learn.
~
God, teach me to get over myself. Teach me how little I am. Teach me to love other people. Teach me that I can do that now–here–just as well as I can love on Olga in Guatemala and just as much as I love my brother’s at Christmas. I should love my co-worker’s, the people that cut me off on Greystone Boulevard, and the man that keeps stealing my student missionary’s wallet! I should love them just as much. I should love them because I was first loved. Lord, thank you for grace and for giving me the Holy Spirit to spur me on to change. You are molding me. I’m thankful.
Again, I have a lot to learn.
work and Jesus.
July 8, 2008
made that for work and love the verse*
.
July 7, 2008
I pray we all learn to love our Lord, know He’s our King, seek Him above everything and everyone else, and keep loving others because of His love for us. It’s not easy. It’s sticky and hard. But, He never promised to be an easy guy to follow. But, man oh man… it sure is worth it.
you don’t care.
July 1, 2008
but I like recaps. so i’m doing it.
Re-cap of the weekend!
1. My PaPa had a stroke and it was not very good. At all. But he is out of ICU as of today! Praise God! And hopefully he will be out of the hospital all together by Friday. But, he still has a brain aneurysm and we are pretty worried about it. Pray that the blood thinner will begin working to take care of that.
2. Lunch for B’s 23rd was Saturday with our families and it was fun. (and free.)
3. It was “wedding weekend” for the Clements’ household. We had three to go to just Saturday night! Two were at the same time, so we split up. Brandon went to Megan and Chris’ wedding in Greenville. I went to Amber & Quinn’s at 4 and then ran to Meredith and Jack’s at 6. They were both precious and so beautiful. Amber and Q got married outside at Occasions at Wedgefield. Unfortunately, at soon as Amber got down the aisle, rain and thunder pushed them right back inside. So, we all went under the tent they had set up for the reception and Amber and Quinn made vows to love each other for forever around a lot of beautifully decorated tables and chairs instead. And it was just as perfect, I’m sure. They are both so laid back and I heard Quinn as they were walking down the new “aisle” say to Amber: “It’s okay, we’re still getting married, honey!” It was such a precious wedding. Those two are two very special and Jesus-loving people. They are going to make such a great team for their entire lives. Meredith and Jack got married at First Baptist in our hometown. It was beautiful. Meredith may be the most stunning bride I have ever seen. She was absolutely beautiful. The reception was outside at Meredith’s home and it was so great. They had everything decorated so cutesy and it was just very well-planned.
4. I love weddings. I really, really do. It makes me think about Brandon and marriage and the goodness of the Lord for giving us these things. I love marriage and I love remembering the vows I made to my sweet husband on October 20th.
5. Sunday, GO CAMP started. I have a group of our SC missionaries from work at camp this week. So, I got them registered, etc. and went to the opening night worship with them. “Strangers” appeared and it was pretty funny. It’s really fun to sit back and watch all of your best friends and the people you do life together with put on a camp. I am so proud of them!
6. Monday I got to travel to Connie Maxwell Children’s Home in Greenwood for work. I went out to lunch with the two missionaries that are there for the summer. It was so encouraging! Their ministry there is such a life-changing time for both of the girls.
7. We lost. Our ultimate team lost. We were undefeated as of Monday at 6:30. But, so was the other team, dangit… and they still are! I stunk it up…had to chase a girl that’s some national champ with track and field…got a blood blister that’s the most disgusting thing I’ve ever seen…and vowed to never play ultimate again. Great night.
8. Go Camp again last night… the “Bucket Ball” game. Awesomeness. Except for blood blisters.
