Our life in stories
November 14, 2011
To my love-
As you are probably aware, today is the 26th birthday of my best friend. I think it is only appropriate a blog entry be dedicated to him. I don't have to tell any of you just how precious and kind Andy is to me. I say it all the time and it may sound cliche but Andy is my best friend. Over the years I've had some amazing friends, and still do, but Andy is the one. I'm so blessed that he will never move to a far away city without me. I love knowing I'm by his side til the end. Speaking of moving, Andy has been so gracious in his support of my passions and career. He was willing and even encouraged me to take my job here in Chattanooga to further my career while giving up a job he loved in Atlanta. Andy has made me a far more confident woman because he believes in me so very much. Andy is selfless, humble, and really freaking good looking. He is smart and funny. He isn't afraid to make a fool of himself all for a laugh. He delights in the small things in life and encourages me to seek God with the same consistency that he does. He is a great dad to our furry babies and I'm certain one day (God willing) he will be to our children. I look forward to all our future holds and I'm so so very very thankful that Andy was born 26 years ago. My life just wouldn't be the same without him.
October 31, 2011
It's the small things that count
It seems in my prayers God has continually pointed me to remember the small things and be thankful. I thought I'd share a few of those here with you. Maybe a list will be best?
Let's see...
My view driving to work makes getting up early worth it.
A 93 year old patient shared his best piece of advice in one word: listen.
I made a friend, she's 97, and she shared how she lost over a 100 pounds and was tickled to death to be more healthy.
Andy's here! Andy's here! Andy's here! Andy finished his final day at the YMCA this past Friday. He was sad to go and blessed by the kindness of so many he saw every day. But I'm so glad to have him back! We celebrated with a little Sticky Fingers and coffee for dessert.
Mina has taken up residence in the bathroom sink.
I made a great friend, Angela, who has not only taught me how to do my job (the right way) but has also made me a friend. I am so very thankful for her.
We've almost gotten unpacked-ish. It's feeling more like home and we really like it.
Rembrandt's Coffee has become a favorite spot for us both. Not to mention, they have a little shop in the hospital! I ration myself to once a week- ish.
We tried out our first church this past Sunday. The experience was fun but the church was not for us. We are so excited for a new option Andy discovered. We'll try it this Sunday and let you know how it goes.
The leaves on the trees are outstanding and we are enjoying our views.
Braylen is the cutest kid to date and I get to see his face a lot!
Andy has joined an ultimate frisbee league he learned of through Neal, Angela's husband, also our new friend.
Andy got his wish for bbq on Sunday at the Chattanooga Market.
We continue to be thankful for our friends and family all over that support us in love, prayer, and friendship. We miss you in one way or the other.
Let's see...
My view driving to work makes getting up early worth it.
A 93 year old patient shared his best piece of advice in one word: listen.
I made a friend, she's 97, and she shared how she lost over a 100 pounds and was tickled to death to be more healthy.
Andy's here! Andy's here! Andy's here! Andy finished his final day at the YMCA this past Friday. He was sad to go and blessed by the kindness of so many he saw every day. But I'm so glad to have him back! We celebrated with a little Sticky Fingers and coffee for dessert.
Mina has taken up residence in the bathroom sink.
I made a great friend, Angela, who has not only taught me how to do my job (the right way) but has also made me a friend. I am so very thankful for her.
We've almost gotten unpacked-ish. It's feeling more like home and we really like it.
Rembrandt's Coffee has become a favorite spot for us both. Not to mention, they have a little shop in the hospital! I ration myself to once a week- ish.
We tried out our first church this past Sunday. The experience was fun but the church was not for us. We are so excited for a new option Andy discovered. We'll try it this Sunday and let you know how it goes.
The leaves on the trees are outstanding and we are enjoying our views.
Braylen is the cutest kid to date and I get to see his face a lot!
Andy has joined an ultimate frisbee league he learned of through Neal, Angela's husband, also our new friend.
Andy got his wish for bbq on Sunday at the Chattanooga Market.
We continue to be thankful for our friends and family all over that support us in love, prayer, and friendship. We miss you in one way or the other.
October 15, 2011
Chick-fil-A and Packing Tape
As I type this oh so overdue blog an empty bag of Chick-fil-A and a fresh roll of packing tape stare back at me. Yes, we are moving AGAIN but this time to a new city. How did this happen you ask? (For the record, so do I) Well, it has been a series of crazy events that have led us to Chattanooga. First being, that I got a job! I am working as a medical social worker at Memorial Hospital. This move has been more of a "transition" than I would have liked but you do what you have to do. Or at least that's what I tell myself every day. I started working at the hospital three weeks ago and my Mom had surgery a week prior to that so I have been "living" in Chatt for a month now. Andy and I see each other on weekends and will be permanently reunited in two weeks! Oh, how I long for that day. My sister and her lovely family have graciously allowed me to crash in their spare bedroom all this time. I've enjoyed seeing them a lot! I'm not sure they'd say the same. :) Andy will finish his time at the YMCA in two weeks and will continue searching for his dream job in Chatt. So, you see, it's a bit of a mess but we are taking it with grace and enjoying what we feel is God's plan working itself out.
A little more about my job...
Most people I run into don't exactly know what it is a medical social worker does and they usually inform me that they couldn't do whatever this mystery job is, either. So, since I have your attention, I'll tell you what I do. Most days it feels like I order potty chairs and walkers but in reality I help sick people transition back into normal life or adjusted normal after their illness. At times this means I get them access to food, financial assistance, insurance coverage (ha), transportation but also that I listen. I listen to what they say but I hear so much more; their heartache, their loneliness, their fear, their hope. It is my job and hope that in some small way, above ordering potty chairs, that I am there when it is hard for many others to be for whatever the reason. So, I love and hate my job. I hate seeing sick people struggle, especially the ones without family or friends. I hate being around death and dying. I hate knowing there is only so much one person can do. But I love doing what I can. I love seeing people survive and triumph. I love seeing the devotion and support that people can give. I love being reminded that life is short and people are what matters.
Overall, I do believe that God is leading this crazy life we are a part of but it is hard right now. It's a lot of changes and loneliness but as I cried yesterday about the size of our new bedroom, I'm reminded that most of my pains are first world problems. I know that God cares about my struggles but a dose of perspective goes a long way. We are blessed by many and so excited to see what marriage and life looks like in Tennessee. Come visit? That'd be great.
A little more about my job...
Most people I run into don't exactly know what it is a medical social worker does and they usually inform me that they couldn't do whatever this mystery job is, either. So, since I have your attention, I'll tell you what I do. Most days it feels like I order potty chairs and walkers but in reality I help sick people transition back into normal life or adjusted normal after their illness. At times this means I get them access to food, financial assistance, insurance coverage (ha), transportation but also that I listen. I listen to what they say but I hear so much more; their heartache, their loneliness, their fear, their hope. It is my job and hope that in some small way, above ordering potty chairs, that I am there when it is hard for many others to be for whatever the reason. So, I love and hate my job. I hate seeing sick people struggle, especially the ones without family or friends. I hate being around death and dying. I hate knowing there is only so much one person can do. But I love doing what I can. I love seeing people survive and triumph. I love seeing the devotion and support that people can give. I love being reminded that life is short and people are what matters.
Overall, I do believe that God is leading this crazy life we are a part of but it is hard right now. It's a lot of changes and loneliness but as I cried yesterday about the size of our new bedroom, I'm reminded that most of my pains are first world problems. I know that God cares about my struggles but a dose of perspective goes a long way. We are blessed by many and so excited to see what marriage and life looks like in Tennessee. Come visit? That'd be great.
June 22, 2011
God likes when we lose.
I married a guy who is good at everything. Really, he is. If you know him I'm sure you've had the pleasure of losing to him in tennis, golf, board games, etc. It's annoying but somewhat endearing until it's your every day reality. I am coming to grips with the fact that I'll probably never genuinely beat Andy at any competition except for the occasional game of Yahtzee that is left totally to chance. About a year ago I decided I was tired of losing to Andy and took up losing to 50 year old women in a local tennis league. It was about four months ago that I quit. I was overwhelmed with finishing graduate school and planning a wedding. I just had too much on my plate to schedule tennis matches with ladies that seemed to not have anything better to do than harass me about hard or soft courts. I'm sure this isn't true but I was bitter. Then there was the fateful day, the day that led me to quit, in which I played a not so nice lady that kicked my butt. I could hardly make it off the court before the tears started to explode from my eyes. I thanked her (for a miserable time) and ran to the locker room. I hid myself in a stall and cried very hard. I'm sure there was a lot more behind my tears than just a bad match but I decided then I would quit playing competitively. Competition is not for those who cry over stray puppies.
In hind sight my quitting has made me realize two things. First, that I hate how competition makes me feel. I hate disliking a person based solely on the fact that they are on the other side of the net. I hate sending another person home upset should they lose. Though, I'm certain they don't cry in bathroom stalls. I just hate it. So, in that regard I'm glad I made the choice that I did. I can enjoy it for fun again.
However, the second thought I have, is that we learn more when we lose. When and if I win, I am certain it is because I finally perfected my forehand ground stroke. I am confident that my abilities are finally being displayed. I go home and think nothing more about the match.
When I lose, it is a very different story. First, I must figure out how to lose. Everyone comes to the moment where they realize this isn't going to end so well. At this moment, I have a rush of thoughts. I want to cuss, cry, blame, and the ugliness that lives somewhere inside of me comes to the surface and I run to the bathroom. Perhaps, it isn't always this dramatic. If playing doubles, it is even worse. If only my partner wasn't a ditz! Did you see her? She doesn't even know how to call the score?! I think what is worst of all, is that I have to face the fact that someone is better than me. I showed up to win and I lost. This is a terrible feeling.
Now you can see why I quit, right? No person who feels this way should ever be in competition. Well, perhaps I did myself an injustice. Sure, there is a lot of discussion about pushing through and conquering. We can do anything we put our minds to, right? Maybe I quit just before I got better and now I'll never know. Sure.
But, this isn't the reason I feel I might have preempted something here. Forgive me for making something trivial into something deeply spiritual, but I didn't develop character in losing. I just wanted all the thoughts and emotions to stop so I quit. Unfortunately, in life we lose a lot. We lose people, we lose jobs, we lose houses, we lose faith, we lose...and we can't quit any of it. We have to endure it. We certainly can band aid it and most of us know exactly what band aids work the best: shopping, drinking, eating, television, friends,isolation, etc. The truth is, God likes when we lose. Not because He is mean but because He knows we learn the most when we lose. If I won everything and never faced my depravity even in tennis, I would not feel the deep down need for something more. I would keep blaming and hiding in bathroom stalls. In a subtle way Jesus taught me through tennis that it is better to lose. I am better for it.
So, in this way isn't it better to be last? Not because last is noble but because first is easy. Am I not better if I lose my job? Not because being unemployed is ideal but because I have a unique opportunity to recognize my dependence upon God. Am I not better if people manipulate me and take me for granted? Not because I can show I'm better than that, but because I get to show grace and patience. I think the Bible says it best, and in a lot less words.
2 Corinthians 4:16
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
In hind sight my quitting has made me realize two things. First, that I hate how competition makes me feel. I hate disliking a person based solely on the fact that they are on the other side of the net. I hate sending another person home upset should they lose. Though, I'm certain they don't cry in bathroom stalls. I just hate it. So, in that regard I'm glad I made the choice that I did. I can enjoy it for fun again.
However, the second thought I have, is that we learn more when we lose. When and if I win, I am certain it is because I finally perfected my forehand ground stroke. I am confident that my abilities are finally being displayed. I go home and think nothing more about the match.
When I lose, it is a very different story. First, I must figure out how to lose. Everyone comes to the moment where they realize this isn't going to end so well. At this moment, I have a rush of thoughts. I want to cuss, cry, blame, and the ugliness that lives somewhere inside of me comes to the surface and I run to the bathroom. Perhaps, it isn't always this dramatic. If playing doubles, it is even worse. If only my partner wasn't a ditz! Did you see her? She doesn't even know how to call the score?! I think what is worst of all, is that I have to face the fact that someone is better than me. I showed up to win and I lost. This is a terrible feeling.
Now you can see why I quit, right? No person who feels this way should ever be in competition. Well, perhaps I did myself an injustice. Sure, there is a lot of discussion about pushing through and conquering. We can do anything we put our minds to, right? Maybe I quit just before I got better and now I'll never know. Sure.
But, this isn't the reason I feel I might have preempted something here. Forgive me for making something trivial into something deeply spiritual, but I didn't develop character in losing. I just wanted all the thoughts and emotions to stop so I quit. Unfortunately, in life we lose a lot. We lose people, we lose jobs, we lose houses, we lose faith, we lose...and we can't quit any of it. We have to endure it. We certainly can band aid it and most of us know exactly what band aids work the best: shopping, drinking, eating, television, friends,isolation, etc. The truth is, God likes when we lose. Not because He is mean but because He knows we learn the most when we lose. If I won everything and never faced my depravity even in tennis, I would not feel the deep down need for something more. I would keep blaming and hiding in bathroom stalls. In a subtle way Jesus taught me through tennis that it is better to lose. I am better for it.
So, in this way isn't it better to be last? Not because last is noble but because first is easy. Am I not better if I lose my job? Not because being unemployed is ideal but because I have a unique opportunity to recognize my dependence upon God. Am I not better if people manipulate me and take me for granted? Not because I can show I'm better than that, but because I get to show grace and patience. I think the Bible says it best, and in a lot less words.
2 Corinthians 4:16
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
June 16, 2011
Masters Degree and Mermaids
I recently had the pain pleasure of graduating from Georgia State with my Masters of Social Work. My graduation came only three weeks before our wedding so I haven't had the pain pleasure of looking for jobs until now. After a short search in the job market, I'm convinced there is a conspiracy happening right before my eyes. Let me explain, when I graduated with a bachelors degree all of my "dream" jobs required a masters degree. I was told that all I needed to do was give two years of my life to "furthering my education" and I would be set. Reluctantly I agreed and lived and breathed late nights writing what felt like the same paper. Over a 1000 hours in unpaid internships and here I am two years later ripe and ready to get those "dream" jobs I referred to, and now the job descriptions require a minimum of 5 years experience in addition to alllll that education. Listen, I spent 7 years and a whole lot of money to help people get out of sex trafficking, gain access to healthcare, and lots of other socially undesirable situations and get paid very little for it. Someone just give a girl a break?!
Alright, enough with my whining. I know that God is gracious and He will lead me to the right job. I just have to be diligent and that isn't very fun. But for now, I have the blessing to keep Katie and Ellie full time until I find a job.
This means my days are filled with mermaids, princesses, Dora the Explorer (could live without this one), and lots of coloring. I've been working with their family since just before Ellie was born so it's more fun than "work". Added bonus, they are members of the Y where Andy works so we get to see him a lot while we swim. :)
Anyway, if you think to say a prayer of direction and favor for my job hunt that would be just swell. Until then, I'll be singing "Part of Your World" (little mermaid) and hoping for the day it comes true!
Alright, enough with my whining. I know that God is gracious and He will lead me to the right job. I just have to be diligent and that isn't very fun. But for now, I have the blessing to keep Katie and Ellie full time until I find a job.
Anyway, if you think to say a prayer of direction and favor for my job hunt that would be just swell. Until then, I'll be singing "Part of Your World" (little mermaid) and hoping for the day it comes true!
June 14, 2011
luna de miel
We just returned from our honeymoon with some new tan lines and a refreshed spirit. We loved our stay in Vieques and can't wait to make an anniversary visit. We hiked to hidden beaches, swam in a glowing bay at night, and ate delightful food.
I think my favorite thing so far about marriage is that my best friend will be wherever I am for as long as we live. If I miss him, it will only be for a short while.
Another fabulous thing about marriage is that people love to share the love. We met so many gracious people along the way that wished us well with kind words and deeds. One of our last days we stopped at a street vendor to get some lunch. They had some of the most amazing chicken on a stick! We met a man (we didn't even get his name) that helped us order and chatted with us about life and Puerto Rico. As he started to go, we over heard him paying for our lunch. He wished us well and went on to enjoy his day. He didn't even mention he'd paid for our food. We were a little stunned but so blessed. This was not the only instance a stranger shared our joy by buying our meal or drinks.
Readjusting to reality after grad school, wedding, honeymoon, and now marriage has been and will continue to be a journey and a blessing. We look forward to sharing more of it with you!
Kara
And so it begins...
Welcome to our little page of stories. Our life isn’t glamorous but we think it’s charming and we hope to share bits of it here. Check in from time to time to see what we are thinking, feeling, doing, etc. You are guaranteed more posts than you’ll ever care to read about our dog, Maddie; she’s pretty quirky. As most of you know, we just got married (!) on June 4th and we’re looking forward to all God has to teach us through this commitment. We’ll share plenty of that here, too. Mostly this blog will be a smattering of randomness that makes up the life and times of Andy and Kara Golden (and Maddie Lou, too). Enjoy!
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