meet the crew: kelly

Anndd we're back. So far you have met two crew members: Tucker and Nadine. While they are pretty great, you have yet to be introduced to the coolest crew member. Meet Kelly...

Kelly and I have a slightly unexpected story. We met in 2009 on a missions trip to Ghana, Africa. It was a team of 4 of us that signed up through the IMB for 10ish days to serve alongside a local church in Ghana. None of us knew each other before arriving in Ghana aside from our extensive Facebook messages and short phone calls to help each other figure out what to pack. The missions trip itself was very difficult and in a lot of ways disappointing, but little did we know, God was orchestrating a friendship that would bless us more than we could imagine.

Kelly and I stayed in touch here and there via Facebook for a few years after the trip. In 2011, she sent me a message telling me that she had applied to the University of Alabama and would potentially be moving down in the fall! I was, of course, a huge advocate of this and immediately told her that she has a place to stay if she was interested! After months of planning and preparation, Kelly moved down in August 2011. We have been roommates ever since.

Kelly has become a best friend...a lifelong friend. She has stuck with me through one of the most difficult years of my life and seriously deserves a medal for it. She has been my personal fashion consultant, road trip buddy, and party planning partner. I have always wanted a sister and I'm so thankful that God provided one for me in Kelly.

Kelly has always dreamed of going to Paris. And with my upcoming flight benefits, we will be visiting the City of Lights very soon. Brace yourself Paris, the dazzling duo is headed your way.

taking advantage of time

Welcome to the stunning smokey mountains!

View from the back porch

I just spent a few days with my family in a cute little cabin nestled in the mountains of Sevierville, Tennessee. 

Notice my parent's pup, Zoey, at the bottom of the pic :)

My brother, his wife, and their two boys have been in Virginia for the past two months training to become English teachers in Central Asia. They are back in town for only two weeks and we have decided to spend part of it on a mini 'vacation' together. Next, they will be headed to Vancouver for another 3 months before heading overseas. 

Gigi with Isaac and Josiah

Isaac

Josiah in Papaw's hat

Playing hide-and-seek with momma. 

My brother and sister-in-law

All of these plans have been in the works for a few years and it's now approaching time for goodbyes. They will be gone 2-3 years so their departure won't be easy. Thankfully, this upcoming job is a huge blessing because of the ability it gives for me to visit them on occasion. Praise God for His sovereignty over all things!

Having only limited days with them has caused me to reflect on the importance of not wasting our time or our lives. This is certainly something that I can be more diligent about. When training begins, I won't have much time to waste and will most likely be spending my free time studying. But that time is still precious. And it is to be spent working unto the Lord. Below are a few quotes related to my recent reflections. They have been encouraging to me and I hope they will encourage you as well.

"Someone may ask, “But why should I rise early?” To remain too long in bed is a waste of time. Wasting time is unbecoming of a saint who is bought by the precious blood of Jesus. His time and all he has is to be used for the Lord. If we sleep more than is necessary for the refreshment of the body, it is wasting time the Lord has entrusted us to be used for His glory, for our own benefit, and for the benefit of the saints and unbelievers around us… Anyone who spends one, two, three hours in prayer and meditation before breakfast will soon discover the beneficial effect early rising has on the outward and inward man." -George Muller

"The present is the only time in which any duty may be done or grace received." - C.S. Lewis

"You get one pass at life. That’s all. Only one. And the lasting measure of that life is Jesus Christ.” 

-John Piper

The weekend hasn't been perfect. The hot tub doesn't heat up, the heater in the cabin isn't working, the dishwasher leaks, among other things. Thankfully, our happiness and joy isn't determined by these insignificant circumstances. I am surrounded by family that I love, sharing stories of God's faithfulness, eating good food, and playing games. There is much joy found in that. 

Breakfast casserole

Electric heaters that got us through :)

Treats for the boys.

This is the game of Carcassonne. If you like Settlers of Catan, this one is better. Trust me.

meet the crew: nadine

Alright, it's time for the next installment of 'meet the crew'. Our second crew member joined the team this past summer (July 2012). Everyone, meet Nadine.

This is the first night I brought her home.

Nadine was a stray that was found in the bushes one fateful night at a friend's house. We were doing our Bible study and noticed a young Hispanic girl outside of my friend's house pointing at the bushes. We went out to check on her and she showed us the kitten.

We asked the little girl what her name was and she said, "Nadine". And so, as a group, we named the kitten after her. I volunteered to take her home for the night and then figure out what to do in the morning. Turns out, she stole my heart and I ended up keeping her.

Plus, her and Tucker got along really well! It was a miracle. And clearly a sign...she had to stick around. Tucker needed a little feline friend to play with.

I never had a cat growing up. My dad is allergic to them so I never understood them. And then I got Nadine. She is crazy, independent, and has nearly destroyed half of my furniture by turning it into a scratching pole...but I love her nonetheless.

airport code angst

Back in high school, I remember receiving a Summer Reading List each year. We would have to go purchase whatever books were listed for your upcoming grade and read them to prepare you for class. (Is this a normal occurrence at other schools?) I never agreed with 'homework' over summer break. Therefore, the books stayed piled in the corner of my room, collecting dust until school started. I never rarely read them. I'm thinking it's time to change my ways...

Last week, I received my initial flight attendant training packet that consisted of over 50 pages of material that I need to become familiar with before training begins. Some of it is really exciting and fuels my excitement to get this process started. But, when I got to page 24ish, things took a sharp turn and made me want to take the packet and let it collect dust in the corner of my room for the next 3 weeks.

The next 15 pages consisted of airport codes. 238 of them. Now, I won't try to explain to you my disability challenges when it comes to geography. It's sad. Really. I blame my middle school. Nevertheless, this is going to be tough.

Thankfully, I was able to whip up this tasty treat to help with my pre-training studies.

Mmm...cereal cookies. Seriously though, this recipe couldn't be easier. I already had all the ingredients and threw it together in 10 minutes. Unfortunately, I didn't have enough peanut butter for what the recipe called for so I substituted with Nutella. And honestly, as much as I love Nutella, I would've preferred for it to be all peanut butter. I am a peanut butter addict though so the more PB, the better. Either way, the cookies are still delish and it helped soothe my sweet tooth.

Anyways, if in the next few weeks you find me surrounded by 200 notecards with a crazed look on my face, please pass me a cookie. It helps, trust me.

meet the crew: tucker

So, I'm starting a new series called meet the crew. In this series, I'll introduce you to the people in my life who are my closest confidents and friends. Today's crew member is Tucker.

Tucker is a Jack Russell? Chihuahua? AT-AT? He is small, rambunctious, and my favorite cuddle buddy. Tucker joined my crew in February of 2011 and my days have been better because of it.

Prepare for your hearts to melt...

There's not a lot of things better than my papa and my pup...

I love how awkward he is in this pic...

I seriously love this little guy with all my heart. He has been with me through thick and thin and I pray I'll have him for years to come. Love you Budzo.

welcome aboard

Hey everyone! Welcome to Journeys from a Jumpseat! 

Feel free to browse the links at the top of my blog for more information. 'Girl in the Galley' is essentially an About Me page. The other pages will soon be filled with blogs pertained to their topic. If you look to the right of my page you will notice three blue buttons linking you to my Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. Feel free to contact me through the 'Contact' link at the top of the page!

Thanks for stopping by!