off with the old, in with the new do....

So, this past Friday, was the big day that I cut my hair off for Locks of Love. It seems like I've been growing my hair out for FOREVER and Friday was the day that it went bye-bye. It's REALLY short now, and that's okay....it will grow back soon. But, for now, it's nice to have a change! Here are some pics....

fall fun

Fall has undoubtedly fallen upon east tennessee this past week. So, to celebrate the cool weather and magnificently colored trees, participation in some outdoor activities was in store! First, I went with roomie, Leslie, to an East Carolina football game and we tailgated with her family. I think I may make attending college football games at various colleges a new hobby :) Fun times were had by all....

Then, on Tuesday, I headed down the Creeper Trail in Virginia with a few of our awesome girls from Girlfriends (it was fall break this past week). It was soooo much fun!! What a blessing to enjoy the splendor of fall and the majesty of Dad's creation for an afternoon. A few pics are posted below....you can view all by clicking on Kelly's Shots....

I think he may be a real pirate...too cute!!!

Purple Pirates...AAAAAARGH!

That's right, we went to Lizard Lick, NC....don't you wanna go?Isis, Francis, and Selena excited about a 17 mile ride!
can someone tell me who said bike helments don't make you look like a dork?
AAAHHHHH!!!!

thank you, Lord....

for falling autumn leaves

for friends old and new

for mistakes covered by your grace

for discovery of new things

for honesty in a world of deceit

for the giggles of little children

for hugs and kisses

for the prayers of the saints

for late night talks with roommates

for innocence

for squirrely teenagers

for excitement in new relationships

for Your abundant, incomprehensible love

can you say oxymoron???

mountain city

Thought I would share a little bit of what I've been doing with myself. Each Thursday, I travel to Mountain City, TN (which is about an hour from Johnson City....it's a beautiful drive), with my partner in crime, Joe Diaz. In the AM, we educate 5th and 6th grade students at various schools in Johnson County, on safety and sexual harassment, which is a starting ground for abstinence education. In the PM, we have afterschool groups at Mountain City Elementary school with 4th-6th grade kiddos. This past Friday we took this group to the Homecoming Game, parade and we tail-gated for a bit. It was a lot of fun, exhausting, but fun!!! The kids had a great time!! Mtn. City is a tiny place....the kind where everyone in the county was at the game and homecoming festivities!! A lot of fun!!!! Here a few pics from the festivities....please be praying for this group and Joe and I as we travel to and from Mtn. City each Thursday. On a side note....it was quite an experience to watch a high school football game nestled in the mountains in COLD weather in Sept! Quite a change for this Texas girl whose used to hot, humid weather through Nov.

A few of the boys enjoying a little football....maybe not so much football....they were quite entertained by the cheerleaders....
A few of the parents at the cookout....
The girls trying to get warm....it was COLD!!!!
A few of the Girlfriends hangin' on the playground....
Carson and Joe trying to get the grill fired up....
Being silly.

p.s. if you are one of those "no leave comment" blog lookers....try to change your ways and drop a line :)

krelly andf tercvhnology dfon't mix

vcan you eradf wha I'm weritin? so dfare this month, my vcrell phonre has blown up, thre VCDF player in my cvaer stopprefd woreking, anfd now ther kreyboarefd on my laptop has dercvifderdf to typer srecveral letters at onvcre. nothing is woerking!!! AAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!! what's a gierl to dfo? revrey timer I hit ther "T" krey, thre seaercvh mrenu with thre littlre dfog oprens.....somreoner HERLP!!!!

my super-talented sister

Thought I would take a second to brag on my super-talented, cake making/decorating sister! Doesn't this cake look fabulous? Not only do her cakes look beautiful, they taste scrupciously-delumcious!! Hopefully all will be as lucky as I and get to eat one of her cakes someday :)

P.S. the cake was for a baby shower.....too cute!

things that make you go hmmmm....

fall is in the air

Yep, fall is on its way!! When I woke up this morning @ 9am, it was 55 outside, lovely! I have seen a few trees whose leaves are starting to change and of course what would fall be without college football Saturday. As I write this, I'm watching Notre Dame being brutalized by Michigan. I LOVE fall. It's definitely my favorite season, and I am so excited to be able to experience a true fall with beautiful leaves and all!!! I just need to get out some decorations and buy a few pumpkins and I'll be set! On to more important things....

As I was spending some time with the Lord today, I read a few journal entries from the past several months and my heart was so encouraged to see all that the Lord has done. So many of my cries before the Lord have been answered. I think this fall is especially exciting to me because of the new season that lay ahead. Here are so things that I was reminded of as I reflected today:

What I claim as my life verse, which the Lord gave my freshman year at A&M.....
"Yet those who wait for the Lord
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary."

.....those who truly wait and hope in the Lord, will not be disappointed! Psalm 33 even further expresses that "the eye of the Lord is on those who hope for His lovingkindness". I have walked out of a long season of waiting and I am so thankful that I waited. That I didn't give up when there were so many times that it seemed that was the best option. That I didn't run away when I was given the chance. But, that through the power of the sustaining Holy Spirit, I was able to endure and wait and place my hope in the Lord. I wish I could say that I always did this well and with complete contentment and peace.....I didn't. But, His grace is sufficient and I am so thankful!!!!! I know there are so many more things I will learn from this past season, but right now, I am going rejoice in thanksgiving for a season of waiting and for the blessed time that lay ahead! If you are waiting, keep on. You WILL be blessed in the end of that waiting and you will be so thankful you waited. May we endure until Christ's return!

sea of orange

This past Saturday, I had the privilege of going to my first UT (tennessee that is) football game. Thanks to the Marions; myself, Joe, AJ and Zack enjoyed an exciting game! Even though it wasn't Kyle Field, I still had a whole lot of fun! There was a HUGE crowd there and I definitely sang "Rocky Top" loud and proud as Troy Freeman advised me! I don't think I've ever heard one song played so many times at a single game, but I definitely know the chorus now. Here are a few pics for your viewing pleasure....

the "T"

Joe, AJ and Zack enjoying some football.

Joe and I and the sea of orange (I think we look super-imposed, but it's legit)

A few similarities between UT football and Aggie football....

1. The Block T....although I must say the Noble Men of Kyle look better in my opinion

2. Loyal fans

3. A dog for a Mascot (Smokey and Rev)

remembering

I'm sure today has been a day filled with sorrow for many Americans. Those who lost loved ones 5 years ago today, those who have lost loved ones in the war that followed and those who presently live with the abscence of a loved one who is serving this great nation in a far away land. I believe that we must all continue to remember. Remember to say a genuine "Thank You" to those who wear a military uniform, remember to pray for those who are overseas and their families who are back home, remember to pray for their protection, remember to thank God for the protection he has given this country. I read an article today that really made me think....whether or not you agree with the war, we all have the duty to pray for these families...."the effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much"....for these men and women have sacrificed more than most of us could imagine for so many people they don't know. I have been blessed with friends who have chosen to sacrifice and serve this country. Some have lost their lives, some have sacrificed their bodies, and some continue to choose the more difficult road each day they serve.

Here are a few of those names that you can remember to thank God for and pray for:

• Jim McBrayer
• Aaron May
• Bret White
• Dalen Bunch
• Chris Stearns
• Andy Sole
• Clint Weber
• Joseph Weber
• Blake Sawyer
• Clif Kennedy
• Carson Weeks
• David Silva
• Luke Reynard
• Mike Berry

Thanks to all you men for serving. For giving so much, to so many you will never know. I believe our nation is blessed because of men like you!

mentoring marathon

Boys to Men 2nd Annual Mentoring Marathon was a success!! Lots of kids completed their goals and had a great time doing so!! I think the most laps completed, other than Coach Marion (who did a full marathon), was 28, which is 14 miles. Here are a few pictures from the festivities....

Me and Leslie with a few girls from Girlfriends.....
this is Amber who completed her goal and won an IPOD.....YEAH AMBER!!!!
this is AJ and his mentor Silas.....
this is Coach Marion who did a full marathon
Me and Amber on the bungee run.

a feast fit for a king

I came home on Friday and look what I found....Lex had a four-course meal (at least) out of the garbage. We forgot to take the trash out and Lex had some lasagna, salad, chips and any other leftovers that had found their way to the trash.

Lex with a little guilt-ridden look on his face,

along with some cheese and crumbs from his feast.

a sight to behold

While driving along Gap Creek Rd (which from this point on will be known by me as Gap Crack Rd) some friends and I beheld a sight none should ever behold....a large man with a mullet, exposing a little more of his backside than he should. At first I was disappointed that I wasn't able to get a clearer picture, but I think we're all better of without the full effect, but you get the general idea...gotta love the south!

Roan Mountain State Park

Some friends and I went on a little hike in Roan Mountain and enjoyed the scenery and played in the river. It's so fun to be in a place where you can drive just a few minutes and play in God's awesome creation!! It's beautiful here.....I can't wait until fall!!

what was i thinking?

so, it has occured to me over the course of this past week that i had a HUGE brain fart! why in the world did i think i could handle 4 jobs? i definitely am not working at bath & body....nothing against them, i had no time. i really am finding it extremely challenging to work at 3 jobs. i really hope that by cutting my hours at starbucks and by getting better adjusted over the next couple of weeks that things will calm down. it's hard when everything is totally new and you have to prepare for things for the first time, all the time. don't get me wrong, it's hard, but i LOVE IT here!!!!! there are so many things i have wanted to post on this blog, but this is the first free moment i've had to even sit down and think. so, i hope there will be more to come in the next few days ahead....so, stay tuned......

whew!

Lets just say I've been a little busy! I've really hit the ground running this week....training at Starbucks, start-up with Boys to Men & Girlfriends, and orientation at Bath & Body Works, all the while trying to set up and complete presentations for Arbonne. That's right, I essentially have four jobs right now. Not sure what I was thinking....but hopefully it will level out soon!

I feel so BLESSED to be here! Working with Boys to Men and Girlfriends is just where the Lord has me!! It's fantastic!!!!! I am honestly amazed at how much this already feels like home and exactly where I am supposed to be!

Funny for the day:

While making and sampling frappuccinos at Starbucks today, I ran across an interesting concoction called the Green Tea Frappuccino....YUCK!!!!!!!!! It's a mushed baby pee green color and it tastes about like it's color.....stear clear of that one!! I don't quite have the talent of applying whipped cream to beverages....so, if you got a lop-sided whipped cream at Starbucks today, it may have come from me....I'll try to do better next time :)

barista!

I am now an employee of Starbucks! That's right, I'll be making coffee or the drink of choice to the highly addicted of Johnson City, TN. You might be wondering what in the world I am doing working at Starbucks, there are many reasons, some of which I'm sure are unknown at this time. Here are a few to start....flexible hours, a super-fun atmosphere to work in, not sitting at a desk, benefits, and all the coffee I could ever begin to drink (I'm just thankful I'm not working at Marble Slab, or I would weigh 500lbs....I seem to have my amount of coffee/frappuccino consumption under control for now). So, if you're ever in town, come by and see me at Starbucks...I'll whip you up somethin' you could only dream of, well, that is when I learn how.

NASCAR

It had to come up sooner or later.....NASCAR in TN is like football in TX.....it's the craze among many people, not everyone, but much more than in TX. I really don't understand it, I've never understood what's fun about cars going around in circles really fast and crashing into one another. But, clearly, according to some I've met in TN, I am missing out on some entertainment that many enjoy.

There is a house here in Johnson City that is a sort of shrine to NASCAR. This is an actual car in a glass box in the yard......

...and the mural on the outside of the house.....the yard is also decorated with checkered flags, a smaller replica of a race car, and of course, checkered yard timbers.

I'm contemplating going to a race to see what all the craze is about.....or maybe I should hold out for the 'Stros to come smash the Braves in Atlanta :)

dropout nation

A few thoughts....this is a long one!

I read about and saw this special that TIME magazine and Oprah teamed up on, entitled "Droupout Nation". It was an interesting and somewhat enlightening study....you should check it out at http://www.time.com. Really, if you have time, check it out and pray about what you can do to help improve this situation (there are some good articles minus Oprah's bias).

Having spent the past 5 years around students of all shapes, sizes, genders, and economic backgrounds, I agree with what they presented as factual evidence of the state that our public schools are in, specifically schools in large cities or in high poverty areas. They are a wreck....droupout rates are incredibly high, students are frightened to be in school because of violence, many kids don't function in school because they are coming from a violent environment at home or on the streets and entering into a school environment that often times isn't any safer or more stimulating, kids are hungry, fighting for survival, taking care of brothers and sisters, taking drugs to mask hunger and other pains of life.

One of the main problems posed on Oprah's show was the vast difference between educational tools and opportunities in schools across the US. They compared two schools in the Chicago area....one in "inner city" Chicago and another in suburbia....yes, they were very different. Honestly it was a shocking diffence. The kids at the suburban school had state of the art computers and a work out center that put most public gyms that we pay for each month to shame. The kids in inner city had a gym that had a leaky ceiling that was falling to the ground and locker rooms without functioning plumming.

There are many answers to the problems in our public schools. But I want to challenge the answer posed on Oprah's show....so, here's the question....is this a display of inequality brought on by personal lifestyle choices or discrimination brought on by the government? My answer to this question and hers were very different....surprising huh?

As subtly as she could, Oprah no doubt was pushing an agenda for governmental discrimination, which was undoubtedly spurned by the great Rev. Jesse Jackson as she indicated on her show. Maybe Oprah should think twice about affiliating herself with one of the most known nut cases for propagating discrimination in America.

Back to the problem at hand.....yes, we have schools that are dramatically inadequate and other schools that have way more than any child could possibly need. But, I believe the problem is parents who have made choices which have sacrificed opportunities for their children. Where are all these schools with great technology and opportunities? Mostly in suburbia....where there are moderate to wealthy taxpayers. What about the poor schools....some of which don't even have functioning plumming.....that's right, they are in poorer areas. The "inner city", where governemtnal and HUD housing is common and honestly a high popluation of people who don't pay taxes, who are living off of government subsidies...or they are in rural America, where there isn't a lot of tax money to pay for schools because populations are lower.

Unfortunately, I believe, we as individuals segregate ourselves. We choose where we want to live, who we want to spend our time with, and what we want to do with our time. To work or not to work. Yes, our choices are influenced by our family history, schooling, background, etc. But, ultimately, we as individuals make our own choices, each and every day! I don't think our government is holding us into patterns of discrimination or purposely keeping one group of people from certain educational opportunities. Quite honestly, it isn't the governemnt's responsibility to educate and raise our children. It's our own. If you see a child who doesn't have parents...whether the parents are physically present or not, then do something to help....don't sit around and think, "I pay taxes, so I shouldn't have to do anything else". I think we can all see where that attitude has gotten us.

Now, what's the solution? Not sure, but here's my thought for something all of us can do. Find out what's going on in schools in your area. If you find inadequacy....stand up, fight for it to be changed. Because here's the reality....if we don't invest in students now and attempt to give them a good start at becoming functioning adults in society, we will spend that time and money many times over as they live on government subsidies, wind up in prison, etc, etc. Take time to care about a child, invest in your local schools and students. Become a mentor. Volunteer in the public schools. It's not only a right you have as a tax payer, but I believe our duty.

If you know me, you know I love students. Especially students who seem to have no future, no opportunity, no one who cares. But, here's the thing, they have a hope and an opportunity; it needs to be shown to them; and most importantly, they need to see that there are people who care, not just people who talk about caring.

Ultimately, I believe that we will see the demise of our nation if we continue to ask our government to educate, raise and give us everything we are "entitled" to, and we, as individuals will be held responsible for the choices we made.

A few thoughts from me....what about you?