There it is. I took this pic with my cell phone right before I sent out a panic-y text message. My very first flight was on a 50 passenger plane (jet), next to the bathroom, next to a girl who didn’t speak any English. But, it was great! I am totally ready to fly again- and best news is that I can officially go to China to get my little girl some day!
I had the best time in Louisiana! My sister and brother-in-law are the best hosts in the world and I am so glad I had the chance to go visit them! There place is so nice, and it was amazing to get to see where they both worked and the places they go. Based off of what I saw- Louisiana is made up of Dentist offices, Sonics, and Drive in Daiquiris (I saw 4… so awful. lol) I miss them and being in LA… but I was glad to get back home and be with my youth… more to come on our awesome Winter Retreat we had soon!
Today was the big Shreveport Shopping Extravaganza! We got up this morning and went to Shreveport and checked out a ton of awesome stores. World Market was awesome. I could buy everything in there. I have been to one before but I really love that place. mmm.
Then we went to the Boardwalk and got some awesome pictures… and walked around for a bit- Ate a Buffalo Wild Wings (YUMMY!) and shopped! I saw a trolley so of course I had to embarrass my sister by singing a bit of Judy Garland’s “Trolley Song” We went to a few stores and saw a lot of fun/funny stuff- didn’t buy much! lol
We drove back to Monroe and went to the Mall here- it was super nice!!! That’s where we actually did most of our shopping!!! Kristen got a cute wallet like mine and I got a Hot Pink item for Stephanie’s Wedding Shower! Also got a cute Wizard of Oz goody to add to the collection And some stuff for my parents!!!
Then we went to the AWESOME restaurant… Pie Works. Its a really great contemporary looking Pizza restaurant— so. good. There is actually only one in Monroe, Shreveport, and Greensboro, NC! lol It was great! I highly recommend everyone try it— though it would be a commute for most of you lol
We have many more inside jokes to add to our list- so forgive me as I put them here to remind myself! “Kim’s floor decor… Has all you want and more, Kim’s floor decor” ((to the tune of “I Saw the Sign”) Eat. Shop. Play… Tell Jesus what you want! Scaredy Tatts Tattoo Parlor, Peter Pan Players Present Little Women, talking to each other at BW2 and taking pictures even when the law forbids it! And probably a looooot more!
Well… I have only been to one Mega church and that was when I was going to see Timothy play drums (heeeey Tim) and I really was probably more focused on getting to see Tim than checking out the church at that time in my life… so I spent most of my time thinking it was totally awesome to see a drummer and falling in love with (my now favorite P&W song) “Let it Rise”
SO… My sister took me around Monroe to see allllll the Mega churches here! the biggest one was First Baptist Church of West Monroe. UN. REAL. wow. Kristen and James both went to this church and didn’t really enjoy their time there. They had an orchestra there– which was a plus for them… but the way it felt like they were in stadium seats at a Football game was a big turn off. Plus, this church apparently has a parade of people with banners and all things grandiose.. which.. hmm.. well, for me puts up red flags. I mean, I have never attended a church service here- so I can’t say either way… but- never the less- It was a beautiful church, as were the others we looked at! I really need to move to a bigger city soon. That’s exciting though… praying God sends the right church my way, at the right time… and even more than that– that I have the wisdom and the open, willing heart to know it is God’s will or not.
Furthermore– I went and visited Kristen’s School! I had an absolute BLAST! Those kids blew me away. When I get home on my own computer I will do a longer blog about them with pictures… as with my trip to visit James’ University he teaches at!
Today we had a great meal prepared by Chef Kristen and then we went driving around looking at all the amazing houses and things here in monroe… I love it here! Granted, the fact that my best friend and sister lives here is the main reason why… haha
Ok… I have got to go to sleep now… Tomorrow is shopping in Shreveport and I could NOT be more excited for anything about this trip than that! Ok, well I AM excited about flying- but only because it is inevitable that I will have to fly to China some day
That’s right LA (Lenoir Area) is out of my sight as I am in LA (Louisiana) with the coolest sister and brother-in-law a gal could have!
We started off with a great dinner with our family and then Kristen, James, and I went to the South Eastern Horn Workshop concert (Much more to come on that later…) then stayed the night at the hotel! We left this morning and drove about 700 miles to LA! The car trip was fun… I’m a weirdo that loves car trip. We played cool music, watched some SNL, read funny signs, and made lots of special memories! Like… me thinking everything was the Talledega Speedway… me getting attacked by a fake plant… and the bumpy roller-coaster ride into LA!
So far… i have learned… DON’T LICK ANY STICKERS! ((big advice that came straight from Cynthia Alley herself!)) Tomorrow should prove to be an AWESOME day because its, “Take Kendal to Work Day” and I get to meet all of Kristen’s students! Do not fret… i shall blog about this later!
In other news, Lenoir is thriving without me! My Alyssa has the flu but the Crest View service seemed to have gone well! Way to go Addison and your mad computer skillz! (I’m cool because I used a ‘z’, right?)
Well… its off to unpack I go! Thanks for those who were praying for our trip! Miss you all!
Well, In honor of tonight I figured I should post the lyrics I wrote in a spoof to the totally awesome song from the video above!
There’s a boy who works at LifeWay
Who is very inspirational
He is very inspirational because of many things
I go in at 8:11 and he smiles and says, “How are you”
When he smiles and says, “How are you”
I can swear my heart grows wings
So today at 8:11 I decided I should meet him
I decided I should meet him in a proper, formal way
So today at 8:11 when he smiled and said, “How are you”
I said, “Fine- and my name’s Kendal”
And he softly answered, “Hey”
And I said, “My name is Kendal, and thank you for your help today”
And he said his name was Jeremy,
Which provides the inspiration for this poem.
Jeremy, the Lifeway Boy, bring me Jesus, bring me joy!
Oh, Jeremy, the Lifeway boy
I love him, I love him, I love him.
So I’d like to get my nerve up to recite my poem-musical
He would like the fact its musical because he sings at church
So today at 8:11 Jeremy told me he was singing
In a church down in the village on the other side of town
And he smoothly scanned my purchase
Of my new Veggie Tales Video
But for me he scanned his discount card,
And he didn’t think I knew
But I saw him scan his discount card
And for me he gave me 10 percent off.
And I knew that 10 percent off meant
That Jeremy loved me too!
I said, “What time are you singing,
and thank you for your employee discount”
He said, “Here’s an extra surprise..”
and he handed me this little Veggie Tale hat!
Jeremy, the Lifeway Boy, bring me Jesus, bring me joy!
Oh, Jeremy, the Lifeway boy
I love him, I love him, I love him.
I used to be the kind of girl
Who’d run when love rushed toward her.
But finally a voice whispered love can be yours
if you ask him to come sing at your church!
Jeremy, the Lifeway Boy, bring me Jesus, bring me joy!
Oh, Jeremy, the Lifeway boy
I love him, I love him, I love him.
So many years my heart has waited-
Oh! Maybe my Steven Curtis Chapman CD is out-dated?!
Jeremy, the Lifeway Boy, bring me Jesus, bring me joy!
Oh, Jeremy, the Lifeway boy
I love him, I love him, I love him.
Sorry ladies… this one provided me way too many laughs as I sit alone in the office today! Thanks to Logan for sending it to my facebook! Sometimes we need a good viral video to get through the day!
That’s my little Alyssa. We are best girlfriends forever. She says the funniest things ever. She does the most random and clever things you would swear she was older than 4. She is smarter than anyone could ever believe. She is one of the most beautiful things I have ever laid my eyes on. She has a 100% heart of gold and at such a tender age she has more empathy for others than any adult I know. She never ceases to amaze me… and I only love her more and more each day.
As I get around more young people today- youth, children, babies… I just become more socially aware of the world they are having to grow up in. Its inevitable there will be pain in their life, they will go through questioning, heart ache, depression, fear, and so on. My heart is heavy for them. The youth I see every day is certainly a troubled generation. While I am not ignorant enough not to know that there is a lot of good in the generation. I see the good everyday too and it bothers me when people fail to point the good out. There is a clear and evident pull to the bad though. Its easier to do the wrong thing. But it is so destructible. So to my youth, the children, and babies in my life. I am praying for you. Look to the good because its out there. Be the light in a dark world. I don’t doubt that it will be hard… but…
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
2 Corinthians 4:7-9 (NIV)
Slow Fade
Casting Crowns
Be careful little eyes what you see
It’s the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the strings
Be careful little feet where you go
For it’s the little feet behind you that are sure to follow
It’s a slow fade when you give yourself away
It’s a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
It’s a slow fade, it’s a slow fade
Be careful little ears what you hear
When flattery leads to compromise, the end is always near
Be careful little lips what you say
For empty words and promises lead broken hearts astray
It’s a slow fade when you give yourself away
It’s a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
The journey from your mind to your hands
Is shorter than you’re thinking
Be careful if you think you stand
You just might be sinking
It’s a slow fade when you give yourself away
It’s a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
Daddies never crumble in a day
Families never crumble in a day
Oh be careful little eyes what see
Oh be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above is looking down in love
Oh be careful little eyes what you see
The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” The Lord replied, “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.” Luke 17:5-6 (NIV)
For Lent this year I decided to give up something very precious to me. Ibuprofen. (or any other kind of Tylenol/Advil, etc.)
Let me first start by confessing that I am terribly addicted to Ibuprofen. I take as much as often as I can. (and sometimes more) My mom, dad, and friends have literally yelled at me before over it (almost intervention style!) Now, I have taken some sabbaticals of it… or tried to ween myself off of it from time to time- but I have found it is so much easier to just pop a pill to coupe with my stress.
I use the word “stress” lightly because I think stress is in everyone’s life— its just a matter of how you react to it. I tend to keep my bubbly positive attitude no matter what— but inside my head is hurting and my shoulder’s are tense- not to mention all my jaw/face muscle problems from my horn injury. Plus, my schedule is hectic. It’s been hectic since middle school though and I wouldn’t change it for the world because I love it! It’s just that I cannot continue to be one of those people that needs to take medicine to coupe with stress. These 40 days will force me to manage it all better.
So far I have played piano (what a laughable idea too… my mom still doesn’t believe it) and done my Wii Fit as modes of getting stress out. I have definitely had moments of pure habit in wanting to take some Ibuprofen- but thankfully didn’t. The very first day actually, I told my mom “Sorry but Lent just came at a bad time for me this year. I’m taking medicine!” I told her as I got 2 pills out to take with my dinner before church Wednesday night. Funny thing was- by the end of the meal I completely forgot to take them with the water I had… so I took it as a sign. I must do this. So I am! I went to church and told a couple of people as hopes they would be like accountability partners. One said, “Ohh girl! you should have given up chocolate! That would have been easier!” hahah Oh Anne, I love it!
Any ideas on how to coupe with stress instead of Ibuprofen??
See the wristband I happened to have on when I was holding Hannah’s beautiful little (if you think almost 10 lbs is little) Gabriella when she was 3 hrs old? I wear it all the time (not every day… but pretty close!) This “Pray for China” bracelet is one that I got in the mail during the Olympics from a magazine I get called Voice of the Martyrs. For me the bracelet means much more because anyone who has known me for about 15 min knows that I have wanted to adopt a little girl from China since about middle school. Well trust me- that desire has only grown more.
Certain things have recently come into my life (people, words, songs, convictions) in the last couple days that has just really plucked this heart string of mine harder than normal. I was going to elaborate a little more on this- but have now decided to just let lyrics of a new song I have been listening speak to you how ever they may!
bridge maker
build me a bridge to another world
the one that I live in so cold
so broken and alone
dear taker,
take all the rain falling from my eyes
run in and rescue my hungry cries
you can keep me warm
rock me to sleep
sing me a lullaby
whisper to me, “it’ll be alright”
hold me here till dawn
lift me in your arms
higher than a shooter star
close as though I can feel your heart
tonight
lift me in your arms
higher than a shooting star
close enough I can hear your heart
tonight
But, it was great! I am totally ready to fly again- and best news is that I can officially go to China to get my little girl some day! 
but the Crest View service seemed to have gone well! Way to go Addison and your mad computer skillz! (I’m cool because I used a ‘z’, right?)
