Show Us Your Life-Singles edition

I am linking up with another Kelly today for SUYL-Singles addition.

I have a very special and incredible friend that I can't say enough good things about, and although she may not be entirely thrilled that I am writing a blog on just her, she is definitely deserving of a little bit of a spotlight....and without further ado.....

Meet Brynn

Isn't she purty!!!

But wait!  It gets better!

She is not only beautiful person on the outside, but more importantly on the inside!

Originally a Texas girl, she is a dear friend of mine all the way out here in Tucson, AZ.  Thank goodness for all these Texas folks!  We have got to stick together!

The most important thing I can tell you about her is that she is a faithful servant of Jesus Christ, and truly loves the Lord!

She is a role model to me in her faith and I know that more than anything she is looking for that in a guy!

She is 28 (with a birthday next month) working in children's ministry.  She has such a heart for little ones and they just love her!  When she isn't doing that she is taking pictures.  She is our family's photographer (and she is growing her own photography business as well, so if you are in Tucson and need a photographer let me know!  I have a great recommendation!!).  

She is so full of life and love!  She is loving daughter and sister, loyal friend, and an all around fabulous person!  Her smile will brighten even the darkest day (I personally think her smile is as bright as the Tucson sun).

So if you know a guy friend (or you are by chance a guy looking for someone more than a friend) please send me an email at kelleyandrhett@gmail.com and I will forward it on to Brynn!

What have we been up to lately?

In my blogging absence, this is what we have been up to!

1.  Both of us have been working like crazy people!  Rhett's job is jam packed with things that need to get done.  As for my job, people haven't stopped getting cancer, so I've been super busy as well!  We are enjoying it all for the most part, and are just happy to be employed!

2.  Meeting new neighbors at block parties and game nights!

3.  Fighting off killer bees...well not killer, but they sure were scary!

4.  Spending Memorial Day with our wonderful friends in Albuquerque.  I didn't take any pictures (sad sad day), but some of our sweet friends did!  We definitely miss everyone there, and we didn't want to leave, but it was great to spend time with them!

5.  Eating way to much of this!  Be still my heart!  This stuff is INCREDIBLE!

6.  Painting!  We are on a mission to get our house painted this summer!  It makes sense since Arizona summers are unbearable, and why would we want to get out of the house when it's 115 degrees outside? Not me!

There's much more, but then I wouldn't have any blog material!  So that's all for now!  Have a wonderful Sunday!

So excited!

Beth Moore is coming to Tucson!

I have had the privilege of taking part in 3 studies of hers while in Albuquerque, started a new one in Tucson, and got to see her at Living Proof Live in Albuquerque.

She has a passion for God, and it's contagious. If you have never had the chance to take one of her studies, go here to find one near you!

So I have an offer to extend to anyone who wishes to see her live. We have some spare bedrooms, couches, and an air mattress and if you can make it here, you have a place to stay!

Mark your calendars for March 26th and 27th!

Let me know if you are interested!

Guest post and giveaway!

Everyone get excited! Today is a special day! My sweet friend Katie is guest posting! And to comemorate this wonderful occasion we are both hosting a giveaway! Just it time for Christmas!

Get ready to meet an incredible woman!

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Oh I am so excited today! My name is Katie and am so happy to announce that Kelley and I want to share some holiday cheer with you! So... we are doing a giveaway!

Now, if you have been here anytime at all you know that I am cold most of the time. And I'm a BIG fan of chocolat. And Miss Kelley is so joyful and pleasant that she usually entertains my crazy ideas. So we have jointly decided we will be gifting one of these! Sorry, but you will need your own cup. And the saucer is optional, but recommended.
We might even throw in a box of these, if we are feeling especially merry on Friday!

So... to be eligible to win, there are just a few things you need to do...

A. Follow our blogs (mine is found here), and...

B. Leave a comment about your favorite holiday treat! (A comment for Kelley's blog = 1 entry; a comment on mine = a second entry (or vise versa)).

3. Then, if you would like one additional entry, blog about us and leave a comment saying you did so (at either of our blogs!).

So that is a total of three (3) possible entries for each of you. Any questions?

Now, your comments should be in by Friday at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time. And we will randomly choose a winner over the weekend and will announce on Monday morning!

Immediate family (ahem, Rhett and Mr. RH, you, unfortunately, are ineligible to win).

I dare you to watch this and not cry...

I don't think Max could ever be this close to an elephant....

Thank you facebook for stating the obvious

You have no friends in Tucson, AZ.

EDIT:

You have one friend in Tucson, AZ.

(it is my husband....thank goodness.)

Since I didn't know that already!

when something you hear really hits home

(Disclaimer: I'm not too sure if this will make sense, but it helped me to write it. So I apologize if I confuse you).

We have been visiting a church here in Tucson called Faith Community Church. We decided on this one because it is about 3 blocks from our apartment, and we have stayed because week after week, I am moved by what the pastor is teaching.

I feel blessed that during our most difficult times this past year, we have been assured of God's love consistently through sermons at church (in other ways too, but this is just one very meaningful affirmation of His promise). In the early parts of 2009 when Rhett first lost his job, found a new one, and we prepared to move to a new state, our Pastor was also preparing for his appointment to the El Paso district which required an out of state move that he and his family were not initially excited about. He preached about change, about God's plan not always being our initial plan, and trusting in Him even when things are incredibly overwhelming. That helped see me though the most difficult part of the move, the unknowns of jobs, house selling, and financials. And indeed God brought us through.

The sermons from the pastor at Faith Community Church have really touched my heart during the difficulty of dealing with Steve's (Rhett's Step dad) death. This past Sunday specifically, we had a guest speaker named Richard Exley. He started the message with personal stories of heartache, sadness, and death, but with ever sad story he talked about how God had worked in his life and brought him through it. Most specifically, he talked about how God places people in your life. He talked about how even though friends and family can't fix your problem or take your pain away, that they are placed in your life to support you through the worst times.

I can't tell you how important my family and friends have been to us during this time. The multitude of prayers that have been directed our way when we were looking for jobs, trying to sell our house, moving, and trying to make sense of Steve's death have been a comfort during this time. Without all of you, I don't know what we would have done. Even though you couldn't take that hardship, pain, and sadness from us, you were there when we needed someone to pray for us, to just let us cry, or to give us a hug. We could never express our gratitude fully and I pray we can be the kind of friend you need at your most difficult time.

To end with, Pastor Exley also gave an additional side to his message. He said that even though those closest to us can't take away that pain, Someone already has taken that pain from us.

our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ took all our sin and pain (past, present, and future) upon Himself. He knows the pain we feel, the hardships we are experiencing, because He has felt it all Himself.

Praise God that we have our family, friends, and Jesus.

And indeed, He will bring us through the fire!

the closing of one door..

I'm sitting on my couch...watching three men packing up our lives and get ready to ship it off to our new destination, to our future. I have a whole range of emotions going through my mind: happiness, sadness, uncertainty, and some reassurance. It has been a difficult few weeks. Many ups and downs, but we have made it through all of that! I am more than ready to be living with my husband again, and playing with my silly dog!

I know I have been a little absent from the blogging world, but after this next week I promise to be more on top of it! I will begin my last week of work on monday. I think I have decided that I will not wear mascara, so that I hopefully won't be all scary eyed when the flood gates open constantly!

So I guess I am asking for prayers for the next week or so. Specifically for our travels, my job prospects, saying goodbye to the amazing people we have met, for our ABQ house to close on time and without anymore complications, and for a positive attitude. We have so much to look forward to, but unfortunately it means leaving people and a place we love behind!

So blessed

For the past 2(ish) years, I have been blessed to be a member of a Beth Moore Bible Study group. It was such an answer to prayers to be included initially, since at the time I didn't really know anyone in town and was quite lonely. This study not only gave me a weekly accountablility for my walk with God, but also a group of supportive women that cared about me and prayed over all the things going on in my life. They were a mixture of women my age and around the age of my mom, nurses, teachers, SAHMs, students, and from all different backgrounds. We experienced births and miscarrages, engagements, break ups, and weddings, illness, and recommitments to God. These women gave me hope, insight, friendships, and  a family in a place that I once felt like I had no one. I wouldn't be who I am today without these amazing women!

Yesterday, We all met together for my going away lunch at Sadie's (seriously some amazing Mexican food...you must go if you ever visit ABQ). Spending this time with them, means so much to me.

Thank you Cyndi, Janell, Katie, Dena, Liz and Liz, Monique, Helen, Lindsay, Melissa, Melissa, Sheri, Anne Marie, Dolores, and Gina. You ladies have given me so much, more than I could ever repay or thank you for!

a face punch of humility

NOTE:  This is long.  It may not make sense.  And I'm ok with that, because really, I don't make sense.  Now on to the post....

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When Rhett and I first got married, I was so excited to start our life together.  I felt like we had it together.  Marriage, college degrees, our own home, 2 jobs, a dog, great friends, awesome families, and a sense of comfort.  Then...

BAM

I got punched in the face with my friend Humility.

Rhett lost his job and spent the next 4 months trying to get one, and he was finally successful BUT it was in...

Tucson

So not only would Rhett have a new job, but we would be completely uprooting everything we knew to move to a bigger city further away from our families.

So remember that list at the beginning of the list?  See what was lost...

marriage

college degrees

2 1 jobs

home

dog

friends (we have great friends, but none fo them will be in Tucson)

family (we still have family but they will be far far away)

comfort

Ok now back to the story.

So now Rhett found a job in the far away desert of Tucson, we found an apartment to stay in until the new house will be ready, and the company that Rhett works for gave us a nice moving package that helped us get through this whole move thing.  So let's tally everything up again...

marriage

college degrees

2 jobs again

2 homes + apartment

dog

friends 

family 

comfort

Then...

BAM

I get another punch in the face from Humility

I can't find a job in Tucson; no one is hiring pediatric nurses.  Our house isn't selling.  Our home was broken into.  Life is just kinda crappy.  

I won't bore you with that list again, but just mark out job, add a marked out security, and add a large side of STRESS.

(At this time I've kind of lost the original point to this, so I apologize, but I'm about to make a huge shift in subject, well kind of).

Why do I tell you all this?  Because I know that this is a really stupid story, but I feel like I had too much Pride and Self-Assurance.  I (now) feel that everything that has happened, good and bad, stems from this.  I feel that if Rhett and I were spending more time in the Lord, we may have been bettered prepared for everything that happened.  I feel like it is God's plan for us to be in Tucson.  That we have served our purpose in Albuquerque, and He has incredible opportunities awaiting us in Arizona.  I feel like we (by we I mean more myself than Rhett, but since we are married I'm trying to include him) tried to control the situation and make life how we wanted it, not how God planned it.  So then things changed, and taught us things about each other, as well as ourselves.

Did anyone else notice how I didn't include God in any of the lists?  I realized it too after I finished writing the last one.  God should be at the beginning of all our lists.  Even before your spouse and family.  And He hasn't been for us, for me.  I don't view of any of the things that have happened to us as punishment from God.  I believe that God = Love, I believe in free will, but I also believe that we will ultimately be held accountable for all our decisions, good and bad.  I see all these events as Him reminding us that He is the Ultimate Planner, Boss, Decision Maker, and Assurance.  A much as I try to have control, it's futile.  

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Ok so that's all I've got.  I have no idea if this makes sense, and it doesn't really matter.   While writing this, I feel like a lot of my issues seem a little more bearable.  I no longer feel like I want a pity party thrown in my honor.  

Thank you God for my wake up call (or as I lovingly like to refer to it, my punch in the face).

Oh what fun!

So I really don't have anything exciting to post about, so I totally understand if you stop reading about

here....

BUT if you continue on I want to give you all a heads up that I will be hosting a giveaway on my 100th post!  Now I apologize because it won't be the most fabulous giveaway ever (I don't get these google ads, after having it on my page for like 6 months I've earned a whopping total of $1.21), but I have decided to follow a New Mexican theme, in honor of my remaining few weeks here.  SO get pumped...only 7 more posts until the giveaway!

AND in other news, I want to introduce you all to a fabulous new blogger!  McBee from McBee's World is a super awesome chick!  She is what I like to think of as a much cooler Martha Stewart!  Her blog is full of tips, recipes, and generally hilarious and thought provoking stories!  So run, don't walk over here!

Have a lovely Tuesday everyone!

and now he leaves me....

This morning was incredibly painful.  He's gone.  Off to the location of our future.  Our southwestern neighbor.  

We have done the long distance thing so many times before.  We have said "see you soon," more times than I care to think about.  Our first year of dating I was in Abilene, he was in Socorro.  Our second year, I was in Albuquerque, he was still in Socorro.  Our third year, I was in Albuquerque, he was in Albuquerque, but also traveling with work.  Now our first year of marriage will be partially apart.  It's a choice we made, so I could take advantage of my retirement, take some real time to search for a job, spend some real time with my amazing friends I've made in Albuquerque, and try to sell our house.

My heart is aching.

Through all of this I realize what amazing people I have met during my almost 3 years here.   They have all pledged to take care of me while he's gone.  It brings tears to my eyes to think of how I will be leaving these amazing people in less than 2 months.  Life was never meant to be easy.  I think one of the hardest parts of today was realizing that my future in Albuquerque is coming to an end.  Watching that stuffed-to-the-gills Camry drive off with the man I love caused me to stop being in denial about the future.  Albuquerque will not be our home come July.  But we have been blessed beyond measure during our time here and with our future.   

Thank you God for bring us through our "winter."  

EDIT...

Please keep Rhett in your prayers.  While I'm blessed to have so many people here to support me during this time, he is totally alone in Tucson.  Prayers for him to remain safe and meet some people that will make this transition time less difficult!  

Technology rocks! (this time in a really good way!)

In case you all aren't aware my husband starts work on April 20th....in Tucson.  

I will stay in Albuquerque for about another 2 months (off and on) to secure my retirement vesting, work on selling the house, and find a job before I also move to Tucson.

So we will be experiencing the long distance thing ONCE AGAIN in our relationship.  (ok ok I can't complain much, I chose this route, I could just as easily go off to Tucson with him, but I have my reasons for not going quite yet)

Anyways we discovered (ok well I heard of it from my coworker Cyndi, but I didn't understand what it was), Skype.

(image copyrighted by Skype)

Oh my gosh this thing is awesome.  You can video chat with anyone (for free) who has an account.  I'm pumped (I know that you can already do this through AIM and probably Google chat, but this is flipping awesome!).  So download it here, and then become my buddy and let's chat!  Can't wait to chat!

Continue to plant roots or work on growing wings?

I've been feeling a little conflicted lately....

2 weeks ago today Rhett officially became unemployed.  We knew it was coming and we are just praising God that it happened at the best time possible (after our wedding and the holidays).  Right now is a difficult time for many families, and I'm just super thankful that I have a dependable and "well-paying" job.  We are also blessed that Rhett has a degree, but unfortunately no one here is hiring Electrical Engineers....all of the companies that he could work for are on a hiring freeze....

This has led to some serious talking about needing to move.  Unlike nursing, EE's have to go to certain places to get a job.  These places include Tucson, Colorado Springs, Carlsbad (CA), and some other cities.  

My dilemma is that I love my job.  Where else could a relatively new nurse work a daytime shift, no weekends, and no immediate holidays, and not just give vaccines all day?  It's not just the logistics of the job, but the amazing families and coworkers and doctors and facility that I have the pleasure to know and interact with everyday.  

And not just the job, but I have met and befriended some incredible people.  Some accepted me before they ever met me (and even continued to be my friend after they got to know me).  I have been welcomed by these people, and have really begun to call Albuquerque home.

So here I am, at this fork in the road.  Do I continue to plant our lives here in New Mexico or do I start preparing to discover the next adventure in our lives...

I think the hardest part right now is not knowing, and all I can do is pray for patience and reassurance.  God will provide for us, just like He always has.  

So if any of you guys in the blog world know of Electrical Engineer positions for someone with 1-2 years experience let me know ;)