Cakewrecks!

I got posted on Cakewrecks! I love this blog. Makes me laugh. 

Crazy,

BEAT

Potlucking People

What a way to celebrate. Food and fellowship as a means of renewing grace. 

Joining together. Shouting and singing the long awaited "alleluias" of God's reign.

Finally. We are resurrection people. 

Good news abounds,

BEAT

A storm is rolling in...

...in so many ways.

And for these reasons I am taking the week off. 

May it be a week of reflection. 

And I give you permission...

...to mourn.

....to cry.

...to wait. 

...to long for redemption.

There is a storm rolling in. 

It will last a week. 

But we are resurrection people...

...just not yet. 

...not yet. 

One week,

BEAT

My divinity school is better than yours...

Enjoy the following highlights from Friday's Gala 2009...

Nothing like professors providing the live music, dancing in all my white girl glory, a cake worthy of CW, maybe an open bar, and the list continues...

Dance upon dance,

BEAT

ps: Yes! We are your future pastors, preachers, and religious leaders. I have high hopes. 

Gala 2009

Kick ass dress?- Check!

Dancing shoes?-Check!

Fancy earrings?-Check!

Damn good time?-Check!

Stress free...if only for one night...

BEAT

Photo Friday: Birthday Tribute

ABD

April 3, 1984-Today

WV to Ohio to Talmo to Jackson County to LaGrange to Macon

Dearest Roommate,

I really wanted to pull out high school pictures, but I am not cruel. I mean, not that cruel. 

When I tell people that I had the same roommate for four years...well, they are dumbfounded. Then I explain we have been friends since middle school (yes bloggies, middle school). I love you. Deeply. You get it. You get me. Thank goodness someone does. 

Now, let's cover some of our phases: 

1. Haymore's Class=Second Home (Praise Jesus! We would have not made it through senior year.)

2. Boys suck! Throw rocks at them! (That didn't last. See photo #1.)

3. Gilmore Girls (Still wish that was our life. Around age 60 we will get another opportunity to watch together.)

4. Bugs (The only time I really wanted to divorce you. Maybe. Nah. They did smell. Badly.)

5. BEAT sits between Boy and Girl while watching House (So glad the Boy was willing to put up with me. He misses me. You and I know the truth!)

6. Did you know ovaries feel like peeled grapes? (Recent phase. So damn funny. I am so happy you are going to be the rich one.)

There are so many other stages. Really, how many times have you wanted to divorce me? As much as I love you, I am the biggest pain in the ass. How do you do it? 

The depth of our relationship is only something we know. Saturday morning wake-ups. Cry fests with your head in my lap. Stress busting by cleaning. Long drives accompanied by Wendy's. Speaking of, there are those oh-so-comforting crab and cheese ragoons. Notecards. Milk with ice. You freeze. I'm hot. The truth about family dynamics. RA rounds. Email exchanges. Easy bake oven. Camping chair therapy. 

I am grateful for your friendship. I am lucky. This world is blessed by having you on it. You care about people. Praise God that you are going to be a doctor. A good doctor. Loving. Caring. Kind. Compassionate. 

Once again, why didn't you divorce me? Especially sophomore year. 

Happy Birthday! Don't be mad about the bat picture above. And I was skinny once upon a time. I mean as skinny as I can be with a linebacker's frame. 

Thanks for loving me. I cannot do it without you. I mean it. Always, forever and forever, always. 

BEAT

ps: Phase 7. Let's play dress up... (Probably my favorite phase because it continues.)

Let it grow on you...

My dad still forgets I am a vegetarian. Really I am a pescetarian. Nevertheless, he still thinks I eat chicken. The usual chorus follows, "Daddy, I haven't had chicken in ten years." Cute, loving eyes look at him. Laugh it off. And then he says, "Fine. Fish. Can you eat here?" Not such cute, loving eyes look at me. "Yes, Daddy. I can eat here." 

Ten years without chicken. Twelve years without all other forms of birds and mammals. 

This choice came out of an over awareness of my parents' health problems. I was that teenager who took everything seriously. During my middle school years, the mom had a restricted diet due to high blood pressure and cholesterol. My internal monologue started: "I can prevent this now. I will prevent this. No meat. Ever again. Go."

So, I did it. Lordy lord, I wish I had this kind of will power now. I am working on it. (It is easy to over eat the carbs when a veggie and/or pescie.)  This time of year allows for a wonderful renewal in good dieting. Not dieting in the sense you are imagining. But my diet. What I eat and drink on a daily basis to be healthy. It is the start of a glorious season of fresh fruits and vegetables. When I crave salads. Glorious season.  And it lasts for months and months. Strawberries, cantaloupes, and grapes oh my!

Try it for a day or week. It will grow on you. If you have questions, I can offer helpful hints. Best sources of iron. Good meat replacements. I know how to make tacos, sloppy joes, and chili that seem like ground beef. I can help you get started. Yes, it saves the animals! But it is about being healthy in this glorious season of bounty. A feast of rich colors and textures. I wish I could have a garden. One day.

Grow upon grow,

BEAT