Sermon Talkback

It's Sunday afternoon. Doesn't everyone love this time of the week. Church is over, your belly is probably full from a big lunch, and you can relax just a little longer until Monday morning hits.

For Jace and I, Sundays are special. Even though we can't go to church together we do call each other after our services and give an abbreviated version of what the sermon was about, sorta like a sermon talkback.We discuss the sermon and make connections to our own life. We discuss how cute the little kids are and the funny things they say and do. More importantly we discuss how excited we will be when we can find a church of our own.

Church is very important to Jace and I and even though we are different demoninations (Jace is Baptist and I am Disciples of Chirst) our beliefs are the same. We believe in our Lord, our God who sent his Son to die for us, who rose again, and we will meet again in our Father's kingdom. I am blessed to have found a man who has a strong faith and is an example to not only me but to others as well. I am thankful we can discuss these things together and pose questions to one another. For us, it is refreshing to see couples together at church and even better to see a couple and their kids attending church together. Jace and I are ready to be like these couples and see what path God leads us down.

Our churches mean alot to the both of us. We have grown up and matured as Christians in our churches and it will be hard to leave them. I have been attending Crestwood since 2005. This church is not only my family's church but Jace and I will get married here. It will be hard for Jace to leave First Baptist in Jackson because they have an awesome ministry down there. However, we know we will find a church together and will get to meet new people and experience new things.

If you don't have a church home, visit Crestwood here in Lexington or if you are in the Jackson area, stop by First Baptist. Both churches are wonderful and I promise you will want to do a little sermon talkback of your own.

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday y'all!

Pretty in pink...

The past two weekends have been rainy, cold and windy but today is beautiful. Since the weather is so nice and there is rain in the forecast for Saturday and Sunday, Teak and I took advantage of the pretty day and planted a few flowers. We now have 6 bright pink wave petunias in the corner of our yard. We also planted two tulips from the Easter service. The whole planting process took about 15 minutes but the difference it makes is huge. The pink stands out against the green boxwoods and leftover brown mulch from last year.

What is it about digging in the dirt and planting something, that is calming and relaxing?I think buying flowers is similar to walking into a candy store. The bright colors draw you in and makes you want to buy all of them (until you see the price tag!!!).

I hope y'all have a good weekend! If you can, go plant a little color in your neck of the woods!

In the Hood...

Today was just another Monday. My coffee was much needed this morning and it tasted great. Meeting in the afternoon, revised multiple documents for upcoming meetings, and tackled our 2011-2012 Annual Report. After work, I headed to the gym, which was fine. As usual, Danny kicked my butt and I took as many breaks as I possibly could. (When I work out, I believe breathing to be a necessity along with multiple water breaks which are followed by small talk with Danny). Just a typical Monday: Work. Gym. Home.

However, when I got home my day got exceptionally better! Laying on the coffee table was a box and in the box was my cap, gown, tassel and the coveted HOOD!!!!!!!!! Seeing and holding the hood made it official for me... I will graduate with my Master's! The days of reading research journals, writing 25+ page papers, and writing chapters for my creative project are over with! Hallelujah!!!

Education has always been important to me and my Mom instilled in Ross and I the importance of finishing our education before we get married. Well, after I finished my defense ol' Sandy told me I could get married! Now that I have the hood and graduation is May 6th---Jace Stamper, if you are reading this, you know what to do!

Peaks, Pits, Praises, Prayers

J.Lo update: J.Lo has money to get her skin to look like that!!!! The facial yesterday was wonderful and is such a treat. If you are in the Lexington area, please visit my girl Dree at Insignia! I left the salon with smooth, clean, and moisturized skin. Now if I could only find a money tree and do that monthly!

I was driving home today and reflecting on my day and my day has been both good and bad. Certain parts were great and others...not so much. I found this exercise on Pinterest and thought it was fitting for today. It is called "Peaks, Pits, Praises, & Prayers". It describes my day perfectly because there were peaks and then there were a few pits.

Peaks:

• Eating lunch with my former minister and catching up with him. We ate at my favorite Mediterranean restaurant and I filled my plate with hummus! Great food, great company!
• I also got my hair cut today. What is it about getting in that chair and letting someone run their fingers through your hair that makes you feel so good? Can someone bottle that feeling up?
• Another peak--it's Thursday which means tomorrow is Friday (it's the small things!).
• Free candy (good candy) left on the tables outside my office! Yes, I will take those 3 Butterfinger bits!

Pits:

• Jace had a CRAPPY day at work. Let me repeat, CRAPPY day! He is the strongest man I know and can handle criticism and pressure so well. Me...not so much. If I were in his shoes I would be in the hospital suffering from a nervous breakdown. Days like today make me wish I could be there for him when he walks through the door at night. Law school isn't glamorous y'all.
• Jace's finals are approaching. This will be a pit until May 10th.

Praises:

• I am excited about the summer small groups at Crestwood. Robyn has some great ideas and I can't wait to experience new things with the people at Crestwood.
• Tomorrow is Friday which means we have survived another week.
• The custodian, Ms. Anna--she makes me laugh every morning!
• Getting to laugh with my Teak daily.
• My family is healthy and safe (thank you Lord!).
• Today was a beautiful day (if felt like summer today).
• I have laughed in the past 24 hours and I hope you have too.

Prayers:

• For Jace and the other law students in preparation for Finals (two weeks long)
• I pray that Jace's work gets better and that the pressure from work and school starts to be relieved soon.
• I pray for you. I pray that you are healthy and happy. I pray that you laughed today.
• I pray this blog brings some sort of joy to you.

Thanks for reading this blog and letting me tell me tell you about my peaks, pits, praises, and prayers. What are your peaks, pits, praises, and prayers?

Keeneland, Spatulas, and J.Lo

Hello Friends! Sorry I have been MIA for awhile. Life has been busy and I haven't found the energy at night to blog. Must do better!

This past weekend was a complete blur! Saturday I got up and put on a summer dress and happily waited in Keeneland traffic. Keeneland is unique to Lexington and everyone shows up for this month long event. If you have never been to Keeneland, let me describe the atmosphere for ya! Think sorority and fraternity kids running around, men smoking cigars, jockey silks, beautiful horses, hats, and tailgating! Saturday was the Bluegrass Stakes and 40,000 people showed up. Saturday wasn't the prettiest of days but the sun peeked out long enough for this ol' girl to get some tan lines! By tan lines I mean, red blotches on pale white skin!

I spent the day at Keeneland with Ross, Beth (his girlfriend), Ross's roommate, and one of his friends from work. We all placed bets but none of us won a dollar. It was still a great day and was nice to be outside, even if was a little windy and rainy.

On Sunday, Whitney, baby Jackson, and I loaded up and headed to Breckinridge Co. for Lauren and Adam's wedding shower. Breckinridge Co. is about 2 hours and 15 minutes from Lex. and during that time, Whitney and I covered all of our life's problems, found some solutions, and listened to one another. I love that girl! We are both open books with each other and every time I  am with her, I walk away thanking God that we are friends. It doesn't help that I am madly in love with her son, who already knows how to flirt!

Once we got into Breck. Co., we stopped at Lauren's Nana's house for a delicious bridesmaid's lunch. Everything was delicious and it was the first time that all of us bridesmaids had been together. We are all blessed to know and love Lauren and Adam! After lunch, we went to the church for their shower. Lord have Mercy, then got a ton of stuff!!! Lauren got approximately 1500 cookie sheets, lasagna pans, and spatulas!!!!

The ladies at Hardinsburg Baptist Church know how to throw a shower! Those ladies were so organized and had everything displayed so nicely. Whitney, Brittney, and I were in charge of making the bow bouquet for Lauren. I had never made on of these and it is not as easy as one would think. We laughed through the entire shower but we got two large bouquets ready for the soon to be Mrs. Hinton. Just a little over a month until the wedding!!!

As for today, it was just a day. The only thing pulling me through is my hair appointment at the beauty shop tomorrow. What is it about getting your hair done that makes you feel so good? I could sit in the chair all day and talk to my hairdresser, Margaret. Margaret not only does a fantastic job, knows my family, but is also the easiest person to talk to. You can't help but walk with a little sass when you leave the beauty shop! Ladies--you know what I mean!

I am also treating myself to a facial today. Mom gave me a gift card at Christmas and I am cashing in that puppy in today! I plan on having glowing skin like Jennifer Lopez after tonight, minus the tan and fake eyelashes she has!

Updates to come! Hope ya'll are surviving this week! Only 2 more days until the weekend!

Food for Thought

Hello friends! I hope you had a wonderful Easter weekend.

I am a huge fan of Pinterest and today I found a quote that really resonated with me. I sent it to Lauren and Whitney and there were plenty of Amen's shared between us in our messages. I felt it was perfect for what us girls are going through in our lives right now and I thought it might resonate with y'all as well.

"Sometimes the best thing you can do is not think, not wonder, not imagine, not obsess. Just breathe, and have faith that everything will work out for the best."

Maybe this quote gives you peace. Maybe it comforts you. Maybe this was exactly what you needed to hear today. That is what I felt when I read it.

We all know that everything works out in the end but sometimes we just need to be reminded of it. We need to remind ourselves to stop, breathe, and trust that whatever happens are HIS plans.

Let us all enjoy the current place we are in and have a little faith!

Overwhelmed

What a beautiful day it is in the Bluegrass! I hope you have a second to get out an enjoy this weather! Weather like this makes you excited to head to church tomorrow for Easter service!

Well, yesterday was the big day. I am happy to say everything went well and I now have my Master's degree! This was a 3 semester process and I am truly proud of my creative project. I learned many things throughout this process. I learned that if you break down a big project into manageable ones, you will feel accomplished throughout the journey. This helps keep your motivation going and you don't get overwhelmed. I also learned how important it is to surround yourself with supporters. People who support you and love you will make sure that you finish what you started. I have numerous people to thank and they too have earned a Master's degree with me.

I want to share my acknowledgements page of my creative project with you. These people deserve so much recognition and I could not have done this without them.

This creative project would have not been possible without some significant people in my life. I first have to thank my Lord. Every sentence, paragraph, page, and chapter was prayed about. I repeated Philippians 4:13 (I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me) many times throughout this project and am thankful for the strength God gave me to complete my Master’s coursework and my creative project. I pray that I will continue to give all glory to Him and trust in His plans.

            I am thankful for the guidance, positivity, reassurance, and enduring support from my Master’s Chair, Dr. Richard Maurer. Dr. Maurer, you gave me the confidence I needed to write each chapter and were always encouraging. You allowed me to realize that I can tackle a project as big as this and always made sure I answered why. Thank you for making me a critical thinker! You are an asset to Cooperative Extension, the College of Agriculture, and the students you teach.

I also have to thank my committee members, Dr. Donna Smith and Dr. Ken Jones. Dr. Smith, you have been a constant in my undergraduate and Master’s career. Thank you for your guidance and more importantly your friendship. Dr. Jones, thank you for your support and more importantly, your critical eye in evaluating Cooperative Extension programs. Appreciation and thankfulness also goes to my editor and friend, Karin Pekarchik. Your edits and suggestions have strengthened my writing and made me incredibly proud to call this project my own.

            This Master’s creative project is shared with my mother, Sandy Keith. Mom, you may not know it but you have earned a Master’s degree as well. You have listened to phone calls about worry, elation, and regular updates and in doing so you have worried, shared in my excitement, and tracked my progress. I share this with you. I also thank you for the lessons you have taught me that cannot be learned in a classroom. Thank you for teaching me to be an independent woman, a caring friend, and a loving daughter. I will pass these lessons onto my children and hope to do half of the job you have done with Ross and I. I love you Mom!

            Two influential people have given a rich journey though out college and my lifetime. Dr. Mack Whiteker and Joanne Whiteker are lovingly referred to as Poppa and T-Cock (Teak). Poppa, your spirit and presence have been with me through my entire Extension career. Your stories live on and the impact you made on the College of Agriculture and Cooperative Extension is apparent today. I am eternally grateful to hear these stories and to be your granddaughter. Thank you for teaching me to open a presentation with a laugh and to feed people well at meetings. To my Teak, my roommate, my supporter, my encourager, and friend. We share a special bond that goes beyond grandmother-granddaughter. You have seen me day-in and day-out throughout my Master’s and I am thankful that we can share this time together. The simple things you do for me do not go unnoticed—the hot meals, a warm bed, a loving home. You are the glue that has held me together throughout my college and Master’s career. You also hold our family together and always will. Thank you!

            Finally, this creative project would not have been possible without Jace Stamper. Lee, you are home to me. I find refuge, strength, encouragement, peace, contentment, and joy in you. Thank you for pushing me and never letting me lose sight of what I can accomplish. Watching you succeed inspires me and makes me want to accomplish more. Words are inadequate to express the love I have for you. Thank you for teaching me how to love and showing me that love is possible. You have taught me how to dream and I cannot wait to accomplish our dreams together. Our “one day” is just around the corner and I cannot wait to travel on our adventure together. 

I also have to thank my two girlfriends: Whitney and Lauren. They were beyond precious yesterday and sent me beautiful flowers. The flowers arrived at the perfect time. I was sitting in my office and was beginning to panic and worry. That all went away when these beauties came in the room!


Do I have the best girlfriends or what?


Mom traveled up for my defense and left Mayfield at 5:45 AM (that is a momma's love!). She picked up Teak and together they cheered me on throughout my presentation. My supervisor, Jeanne, also sat in (so sweet!). After an hour of presenting and answering questions, my committee made their decision and then congratulated me. Of course, there were plenty of hugs to go around! When I got home, my Mom had these waiting for me (UK blue themed!)

Then the outpouring of congratulations and support came via Facebook. I am so overwhelmed by the support, love, kind words, and congratulatory messages! Needless to say, yesterday was a GREAT day!

Let the excitement, joy, and overwhelming feeling continue because tomorrow our Savior rises! Up from the grave he arose! Happy Easter!

Transitions

Friends, we did it! UK brought home our 8th National Championship title last night. Teak and I stayed up and watched the game and after UK was crowned the champions, the fireworks started here in Lex. Such an exciting thing for the team, this town, the university, and the fans! I don't know when fans will stop celebrating. So happy to be a part of Blue Blue Nation.

As much as I wanted to celebrate at Rupp today, meetings and a TV spot still had to take place. In addition to these agenda items, there was unexpected drama with UK graduate school and I ran into a former professor. By the end of the day, I was emotionally worn out and didn't anticipate to have all these feelings and thoughts running through my head.

My thoughts centered around transitions. This Friday I defend my Master's, marking the end of my education career (thank you Lord!). This transition is so exciting and I am proud of what I have accomplished. But not all transitions are good. Transitions mean change. I am not the best with change (is anyone?). But some transitions are wonderful and beautiful.

This weekend when I was with my girlfriends, I realized that we are all going through our own transitions whether that be marriage, home ownership, raising children, building a career. These are all exciting transitions but can be scary at the same time too. With these transitions comes risk and stepping out on a limb. You have to venture out into a world you have never been before. This is not easy to do because you feel as though you are the first person to ever do __________ (fill in the blank).  However, some risks have the best rewards. Today I am ready to take those risks in order to find the reward in the transition!

Today I was hit with all the transitions that will soon take place in my life: graduation, engagement, ending a job, moving, leaving the Teak, marriage, trying to find a new job. These things aren't taking place today, tomorrow, or next week but they are coming down the pike in about a year. I am so excited for these things, some days too excited. The common thread in these transitions for me is Jace. When thinking about these things and the reality of it all, all I wanted was a hug from Jace (it sucks being apart you know!). A hug from Jace can calm me and erase bad feelings.

Maybe I just over analyzed today and am critical of myself at times, which girls are notorious for (guilty as charged). Was today just a blah day or am I realizing that I am growing up and changes and transitions are coming? I think it is more the latter than the former in this case. Growing up, changes, and transitions are exciting as much as scary. I know these transitions are a part of life's journey and I am open to whatever God has in store for not only me but for also Jace and I.

Transitions are the reason why I started this blog. I wanted to document the emotions during this time in my life and to remember this exciting, scary, nerve racking, beautiful, wonderful, and crazy time.

I don't know who reads my blog but thank you. Thank you for letting me write my feelings which is a form of therapy for me. You are my therapy for my transitions.

Weekend recap...

Happy Monday friends!

This weekend was great and I hope yours was too. If you are a Wildcat fan (if you aren't, you should be!) you know how exciting today is! The atmosphere on campus is electric and this town is about to go WILD!!!

Now for the weekend recap: Lauren's Bachelorette party!!!

Lauren, the bride-to-be, called me on Friday and told me so was already on the road and would be arriving in Lexington in an hour. I panicked for a quick second because she was arriving earlier than I had expected and I also had some last minute errands to run in preparation for her arrival. The night before I had decorated our guest bedroom door frame with balloons and streamers (Pinterest inspired) and was pleased with my efforts. On Friday morning, I woke up to a pile of streamers and balloons on the floor. So after Lauren's phone call, I ran home and used almost a whole dispenser of tape and prayed that they stayed up for the weekend.

After the taping episode was over, I got back in my car and ran to Beaumont Center to meet the sweet Lennie Underwood. Let me tell you, Lennie can bake! Lennie created these darling wedding dress cookies for the party, complete with Lauren's soon-to-be initials and wedding date.

When I returned home with the cookies, Lauren was already there! It was so great to finally see her and we had 2 hours of down time so we ran a few errands. I was so happy to get some one-on-one time with her. I miss that girl. Lauren is the type of friend that no matter how long you have gone without seeing one another, we can pick it right up from where we left it last. I so enjoyed those two hours with her and in that time we discussed everything we have been going through, feeling, or worrying about. It made me wish we were back living in Blanding 1 again. It's ironic how in college all we want to do is grow up, but when we get jobs and move away, all we want to do is go back to the days when friends were close by and not just a phone call away. So I was bound and determined to have a great weekend since everyone was in town and I did!

Friday night, we headed over to Malone's. We all treated ourselves to a nice meal and talked for 2 hours. The beauty about my friends is we often interrupt each other and we never quite finish a story. Our stories prompt other stories and we are often talking while someone else is talking. Our conversations are fun, fast, and may be hard to keep up with it you are an outsider listening in.

Saturday morning we ate at Josie's and it was delicious. After breakfast we had some time to kill and we visited the cute shops near Chevy Chase. This is one of my most favorite areas in Lexington. The stores are quaint and have this wonderful feel about them.

Saturday afternoon was relaxing! We treated ourselves to a signature massage (hot stones were included!). Lauren had never had a message before (how has she lived?) She loved it and we all floated out of the Message Center, fully relaxed and tension free.

Hello, hot stones!

I thought the Bachelorrette party was successful and think Lauren had a great time. In two weeks, it is her shower and then May 26th is the big day!

I am not going to lie: during the bachelorette party my mind wandered to Jace. He had his moot court competition this past weekend and the good Lord knows I was worried about that. He had been miserable for an entire month and so had I (Lane Baxter-you know how this feels). Jace called me Friday night and said that he and his partner advanced and they would compete Saturday. This came to a complete shock to Jace and I. He does this to me quite often. He tells me he didn't do good, whether it be a test, interview, argument, whatever and then he turns around and does great. You would think that I would get used to this pattern by now but I still worry each time. I am happy to say the competition is over and life can resume! Now onto preparation for law school finals. Where has this semester gone?

Saturday was also a huge day for UK basketball. UK played against Louisville and there is a deep rivalry there. For non-UK readers, this rivalry is equivalent to LSU vs. 'Bama in football. We mean business when we play. Friends can become enemies if they root for the opposing team. UK won in the end and Lexington hasn't stopped celebrating. We play in the NCAA championship game tonight. This town is crazy. UK fans are crazy. We would love to hang our 8th NCAA championship banner and I believe we can do it tonight.

Overall it was a great weekend! Now it is time to cheer on the CATS...Oooooo C-A-T-S, CATS, CATS, CATS!!!!!!!!