I keep getting more and more excited to be moving back to St. Pete. I went down this past weekend because we were auditioning a potential drummer and every time I go to that city I can't help but dream until I am actually living there.
Friday night we went to see Man of Steel with some folks that were pretty nice. Abbey and Toper get free tickets to Baywalk so that was a treat. Man, that movie was fantastic. I really can't get over how well done that was. The only thing about it I didn't like was Kevin Costner as Clark's dad. He's the only character I didn't believe.
Saturday we spent some time fixing up the old house and recording the sounds that we were making. We put some fake wood flooring down in the spare bedroom, and then took down one of the walls in Abbey's room. Later the Mitchells came over and we had some family time. We talked a lot about creation and how we are to take care of it and then how we can specifically take care of it. Then James (potential drummer) met us at the house. We took him to Starbucks and talked about the project and what we're about and what we're looking for. Then we brought him back to the house and taught him a song.
Sunday Abbey and I slept in until 11am. Neither of us do that. Ever. After we finally woke up we went and got breakfast and coffee and met back at the house to practice til I had to leave for Tallahassee.
I really am not sure how it's going to be having James a part of the project, but we will see. This next month is going to be insanely busy for all of us what with me trying to move and us trying to play a few shows. This is all crazy and overwhelming and exciting. I am really looking forward to a life with these guys.
peace, love, and futures.
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Monday, June 10, 2013
Phone calls
I'm just really thankful for my mom and her willingness to be there for me and help me when I'm having tough times. Today we were talking about friendship and how she has noticed that I've never had a consistent best friend, they've only been around for a season. That's not a bad thing, but it can be kind of lonely.
Right now my mom doesn't really have any friends that she can just call up and hang out with like she used to. It breaks my heart. Jesus, please send her a couple of women who can just invest in her and her in them. She needs that discipleship and that friendship.
peace, love, and besties.
kaeli
Right now my mom doesn't really have any friends that she can just call up and hang out with like she used to. It breaks my heart. Jesus, please send her a couple of women who can just invest in her and her in them. She needs that discipleship and that friendship.
peace, love, and besties.
kaeli
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Seasons
I get hit fairly often with bouts of missing people deeply. I have been blessed to be able to do and see so many amazing things and meet and grow with so many amazing people, that I wish I could split myself up so I could always be in those places. However, life is full of seasons that aren't meant to stick around. It's a sad truth that I won't always be as close with people as I was when I was living with/near them. I wish that wasn't true.
I miss being another adopted kid in the Gawlowicz family.
I miss adventuring in the Swedish forests with my Holsby family.
I miss playing with Legos and rollerblading with Caleb, Josh, and Thomas.
I miss family vacations before my parents divorced.
I miss being roommates with Bekah and Kristin.
I miss going to Cornerstone with Thad and Jillian.
I miss competing in marching competitions with the RA band.
I miss VBS set up and helping with VBS week with the Coombs.
I miss Rica being my best friend.
I miss beach worship at pier 60.
I miss Sennit being around all the time.
I miss shenanigans with Kenny.
I miss being close with Kaydee and Alyson.
I miss carpool meetings at the Reynolds'.
I miss the Movement.
I miss Winter Retreats.
Sometimes missing all of these people (mentioned and not) makes me feel lonely and it's somewhat heartbreaking. I want all of these people to know how much I care about them even though we never see each other anymore. I want people to know that just because things aren't the same, I still love them so much. It's just hard sometimes to keep reminding myself that where I am now is good and these people now are good and we are doing good things and serving a good God when I often think about where I've come from.
God, give me a present mind. Thank You for the times past, thank You for what's happening now, and thank You for what will happen. Help me to keep You as my strength and remember that You are full of good things. Thank You for always blessing me and for the people who have helped me become who I am right now.
peace, love, and memories.
kaeli
I miss being another adopted kid in the Gawlowicz family.
I miss adventuring in the Swedish forests with my Holsby family.
I miss playing with Legos and rollerblading with Caleb, Josh, and Thomas.
I miss family vacations before my parents divorced.
I miss being roommates with Bekah and Kristin.
I miss going to Cornerstone with Thad and Jillian.
I miss competing in marching competitions with the RA band.
I miss VBS set up and helping with VBS week with the Coombs.
I miss Rica being my best friend.
I miss beach worship at pier 60.
I miss Sennit being around all the time.
I miss shenanigans with Kenny.
I miss being close with Kaydee and Alyson.
I miss carpool meetings at the Reynolds'.
I miss the Movement.
I miss Winter Retreats.
Sometimes missing all of these people (mentioned and not) makes me feel lonely and it's somewhat heartbreaking. I want all of these people to know how much I care about them even though we never see each other anymore. I want people to know that just because things aren't the same, I still love them so much. It's just hard sometimes to keep reminding myself that where I am now is good and these people now are good and we are doing good things and serving a good God when I often think about where I've come from.
God, give me a present mind. Thank You for the times past, thank You for what's happening now, and thank You for what will happen. Help me to keep You as my strength and remember that You are full of good things. Thank You for always blessing me and for the people who have helped me become who I am right now.
peace, love, and memories.
kaeli
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
People food
Today Tovah (my cat) decided that while no one was home that she would jump on the kitchen table, chew a hole in a bag of my roommate's onion hamburger buns, eat some, jump with the bag on top of the trash can, and continue to eat. Needless to say, she will not be getting any treats today and now I have to buy my roommate more hamburger buns.
peace, love, and onion breath.
kaeli
peace, love, and onion breath.
kaeli
Sunday, June 2, 2013
We like sports
Pray that I don't continue to give my heart to him because he hasn't earned it. Pray that I can be happy for him and genuinely appreciate his friendship regardless of our status. Pray that I will have faith that God has someone out there for me that I'll meet in His timing. Pray that He will prepare my heart for my future mister.
On a much, much lighter note:
Last night I went to my second roller derby bout ever and it ended up being a double-header. Both Tallahassee teams lost, but I had fun either way. If I was able to make the commitment, I would totally join a derby team when I move back to St. Pete.
Today I played ultimate frisbee with a bunch of people up here that I love. I've really missed that game, I haven't played in a couple years. I kept having flashbacks of playing it in Mississippi (remember that great catch, JJ?), playing it on SPC's campus, and playing it in Sweden in the rain. So many great memories with that game.
Then Tina, Josh, and Ramoane all came back to my house and I taught them how to play Dutch Blitz. I dominated, of course, but that's not the point. I'm glad they like it because I've been trying to get people to play that game since I've lived here. Now, two months before I leave, I finally find people that enjoy it.
peace, love, and Vitamin Water.
kaeli
On a much, much lighter note:
Last night I went to my second roller derby bout ever and it ended up being a double-header. Both Tallahassee teams lost, but I had fun either way. If I was able to make the commitment, I would totally join a derby team when I move back to St. Pete.
Today I played ultimate frisbee with a bunch of people up here that I love. I've really missed that game, I haven't played in a couple years. I kept having flashbacks of playing it in Mississippi (remember that great catch, JJ?), playing it on SPC's campus, and playing it in Sweden in the rain. So many great memories with that game.
Then Tina, Josh, and Ramoane all came back to my house and I taught them how to play Dutch Blitz. I dominated, of course, but that's not the point. I'm glad they like it because I've been trying to get people to play that game since I've lived here. Now, two months before I leave, I finally find people that enjoy it.
peace, love, and Vitamin Water.
kaeli
Saturday, June 1, 2013
I know I'm being vague
I really wish we would all pay more attention to the things we say and do and how they affect people. Most of our words and actions are undeniably selfish and/or inconsiderate (myself included). Can we start asking ourselves a few questions before we speak or act?
Is it loving?
Is it needed?
Is it true?
When we stop thinking so much about ourselves and start thinking about the people around us, the world becomes a better place.
peace, love, and posts that are equivocal but about specific occurrences.
Is it loving?
Is it needed?
Is it true?
When we stop thinking so much about ourselves and start thinking about the people around us, the world becomes a better place.
peace, love, and posts that are equivocal but about specific occurrences.
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Summer in the city
A little over a year ago I moved to Tallahassee to impact the city, to be Jesus with skin on to the college kids and homeless folks and retired ladies & gents. I don't think I could recap this year into one post, but I will try to hit some of the highlights.
I was 21 when I finally had moved out of my mom's house - it was time. I felt like I needed to get out of St. Petersburg and try things out on my own. Hence, Tallahassee. It was far enough away that I wouldn't be able to be in my usual surroundings very easily, but not too far that I'd need a new license plate. I had two friends up here - Malee and Blake - but other than that, I didn't know anyone or anything about the city (eventually I found out that some of the people I met at Total Bummer [music festival] lived in Tallahassee).
I went one month without a job and spent most of my summer hanging out with Blake and Malee, steadily meeting more people and exploring new places. I started gathering with Calvary Chapel Tallahassee and started a prayer night at my house. I went to see Malee's band, Aircraft, whenever they played. I got a job at an animal clinic and eventually started taking classes at Tallahassee Community College.
Somewhere after getting a job and before Thanksgiving I got really selfish. When I first moved up here, I had nothing and had to rely on God for everything. Once He gave me what I needed and I was able to sustain it, I forgot where it originally came from. So naturally, cutting myself off from my source disabled me from giving to other people. I spent most of fall semester consumed with college and work, often using the excuse, "I don't have enough time," even for things like gathering with the Church and spending my own time with God. But somewhere around or shortly after Thanksgiving God got my attention.
(Also, Toper and Abbey and I started a music project together.)
I spent Christmas break realigning myself to Him and remembering where to find rest and peace and hope. Christ had revived the life in me and I was starting to become more like myself again. Spring semester was a great improvement from the fall. I was intentionally investing in people (something I'd set out to do when I moved here) and seeking to be change and be changed. Spending time with God was refreshing and I was thirsty. I also started driving to and from St. Pete every so often to practice with the band. I'd been learning a lot about cultivating relationships at this time.
(Also, I got really into biking, and adopted a kitten and named her Tovah.)
Now it's summer again and my time here in this city is almost up. I'm finishing up my last class until I can get my Associate in Arts degree, and my last day of work is July 26th. The prayer night I host is still a weekly gathering and it has been fruitful. I have made many friends up here and hopefully I have been able to be Love for them. However, I am moving back to St. Pete at the end of July to pursue mutual goals and dreams with my bandmates and cultivating the community there. I realize I have only scratched the surface of everything that has happened and all the things I experienced, but this was basically my time of reflection and nostalgia in getting ready to move on. I was faced with more challenge and struggle than I've ever had (with one exception), but I've also been filled with so much more joy and peace and understanding because of it. Stay classy, Tallahassee.
peace, love, and reruns.
kaeli
I was 21 when I finally had moved out of my mom's house - it was time. I felt like I needed to get out of St. Petersburg and try things out on my own. Hence, Tallahassee. It was far enough away that I wouldn't be able to be in my usual surroundings very easily, but not too far that I'd need a new license plate. I had two friends up here - Malee and Blake - but other than that, I didn't know anyone or anything about the city (eventually I found out that some of the people I met at Total Bummer [music festival] lived in Tallahassee).
I went one month without a job and spent most of my summer hanging out with Blake and Malee, steadily meeting more people and exploring new places. I started gathering with Calvary Chapel Tallahassee and started a prayer night at my house. I went to see Malee's band, Aircraft, whenever they played. I got a job at an animal clinic and eventually started taking classes at Tallahassee Community College.
Somewhere after getting a job and before Thanksgiving I got really selfish. When I first moved up here, I had nothing and had to rely on God for everything. Once He gave me what I needed and I was able to sustain it, I forgot where it originally came from. So naturally, cutting myself off from my source disabled me from giving to other people. I spent most of fall semester consumed with college and work, often using the excuse, "I don't have enough time," even for things like gathering with the Church and spending my own time with God. But somewhere around or shortly after Thanksgiving God got my attention.
(Also, Toper and Abbey and I started a music project together.)
I spent Christmas break realigning myself to Him and remembering where to find rest and peace and hope. Christ had revived the life in me and I was starting to become more like myself again. Spring semester was a great improvement from the fall. I was intentionally investing in people (something I'd set out to do when I moved here) and seeking to be change and be changed. Spending time with God was refreshing and I was thirsty. I also started driving to and from St. Pete every so often to practice with the band. I'd been learning a lot about cultivating relationships at this time.
(Also, I got really into biking, and adopted a kitten and named her Tovah.)
Now it's summer again and my time here in this city is almost up. I'm finishing up my last class until I can get my Associate in Arts degree, and my last day of work is July 26th. The prayer night I host is still a weekly gathering and it has been fruitful. I have made many friends up here and hopefully I have been able to be Love for them. However, I am moving back to St. Pete at the end of July to pursue mutual goals and dreams with my bandmates and cultivating the community there. I realize I have only scratched the surface of everything that has happened and all the things I experienced, but this was basically my time of reflection and nostalgia in getting ready to move on. I was faced with more challenge and struggle than I've ever had (with one exception), but I've also been filled with so much more joy and peace and understanding because of it. Stay classy, Tallahassee.
peace, love, and reruns.
kaeli
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