I need your blog addresses!!!

We lost all of our bookmarks where I checked friends and family blogs!!!


Please send me your links!!!


I don't know what to do with myself!!!


Other than all that I'm doing well. It's the end of the year=crazy lots of work for me. I have been in at 7:30 every day and have left at 6:30 if I'm lucky. I am tired. I took Tuesday off as well so Jon and I can have some post holidays-everyone else in the world has had time off during this season except for us and we feel sorry for ourselves-time. I also have to work tomorrow (Saturday) for another full day, so 3 days in a row will be welcome. I like being in charge of people, but there's no way you can get off early if you expect all of them to be working.

Love you all,

Send me your links.


Kim

Gullett Christmas

Here we are. We had a wonderful time Christmas Eve with my side of the family. We've had Jon's family on speakerphone quite a few times the last few days and look forward to going and seeing them soon. Jon and I have had a relaxing day with one another.

As always,

love,

kim

Kati's poem

This is a post from my dear friend Kati who lives far away in Maine. Kati is married to a lovely gent. She is just finishing her bachelors in womens studies. The rest will speak for itself.

Inception

I came into a woman’s world,

my ever-present brother revolving in a zodiac of female constellations.

I came up into a woman’s realm

laundry, dusting, poetry, rain

all belonged to us, the sisterhood of the rowdy.

I came up into a woman’s code—

obedience, deference, selflessness—in public.

I came into reality of women’s lives

independently thinking and speaking our unfathomable minds.

I came up to the Virgin and saw she was crying;

she does not believe Eve is lost.

I came into classrooms and libraries and believed without being told

I belonged there.

I ran into a world of women’s don’ts and found them wanting,

I ran into the maze of mutilationous teenage yearnings,

I learned to ask why and who for.

Came up in a Southern Christian home

but our accents were not as sweet as they should have been,

we spoke our thoughts too often and close for comfort.

Came into adulthood without a trace of make-up,

Came into the world voracious for experience,

I came up into a place that is not fair: man-

eat-dog-world and we eat you for breakfast.

I came up to the city to live raw,

learning for myself what I can/not do.

I came into an old house and learned to sit

with the silence of loneliness, breathing a broken yes.

I came up into fire and uncontrollable lust for life and laughter,

alcohol-soaked nights, sweat-soaked mornings.

I came into cathedrals and rest stops and diners.

I chose to love a ragged man.

I came up into the dishes, the books, the knots, the wisdom.

I walked up into the halls of learning,

I only believe half of what they tell me.

I came into a woman’s world.

I did not know it at the time.

Addendum

Erin--is moving to Germany, that's super wild. Research? Like what? Where are you staying? Please let me know how you are doing.

speaking

I've been asked to say a few words at prayer meeting tonight. I like public speaking probably for the same reason that most people do...I think I have things to tell people, but not tonight. I'm getting a cold and don't really feel super, so maybe that's why, but I have no idea what I'm going to say. It's only 10 minutes, but still...I'll let you know how it goes.

Here's a word from our sponsors.

Anthea--your life is super hard right now. I love you. I'm thinking of you.
Kara--you too are in my prayers
Kati--I love your poem, may I post it? I miss you. I have your book and scarf within eyesight, I'm just too lazy to send them out. I will...maybe by your birthday.
Laura--thanks for your card, I'm sorry I suck at connecting with you
Cindy--GETTING MARRIED!!!
Rachel--your Christmas card is the best one I've received so far
Jane--how is married life?

Hosea 6:1-6, that's where I'm starting tonight...but really, that's all I know.

This is a picture from our trip downtown on Sunday. We had a great day, and we got to see all of the Christmas lights before it got so cold. 

snow

Hi Everyone!

...and a special thank you to all of you who received Missio Dei's prayer letter and have linked over. This blog is not super exciting...just some musings from a person who likes to muse and show some pictures.

I hope you enjoy.

This has been a crazy week with work. Since I work in a billing office, the end of the month is nothing short of a panic. All in all though, now that it's over, it was a pretty good week.

Stay safe and warm.

I just updated my version

Today was a ho-hum day. I did some cooking, got most of Jon's Christmas shopping done online, and wrote some Christmas cards.

It's been a relaxing weekend, so I am grateful for that.

but this is my best recent picture

yes, yes it is 

i finally have some good pictures

i said there were a lot of geese. this was a particularly busy morning. this is part of our view from the porch. 

thanksgiving!

hi all,

Last weekend I went to see my brother Tom and his wonderful family in Cincinatti. It was just lovely. Thanksgiving is a time where Jon and I will travel down to my parents' area of the woods and see some extended family that we only see about once a year. My brothers have not made it to this occasion the last few years as they now live farther away. I think seeing Tom and Kristi though really helped me feel like I was not missing out on this contact. There are some wonderful members of the extended family that we have had a chance to get to know more these past few years as well.

This year I am thankful for many things, mostly my family and especially new friends. It's been an emotional week for me, but it has been somewhat cleansing.

kati, thanks for the message.

jane, thanks for the letter (from July!)

love,
me

sunday

Thanks to those with the exhortation about my work situation. It's been good to have the weekend away to just settle myself down.

Mom and I had a good time yesterday.

Jon and I have had a really nice day together. I'm so thankful for our relationship because even though things get crazy in other parts of my life, it's nice to always have him to listen and not be nearly as dramatic as I am about my life. I'm working on an essay for our church prayer letter, so when I get that done, I'll probably post it.

I'm so grateful for all of my friends.

thanks!

a verse

1 Corinthians 2:2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified...

This verse has meant a lot to me lately. Today I got repremanded by a fellow Christian at work for my political views on some subjects. I understand us disagreeing on points and in fact expect it in most situations. I just hate it when people question whether or not I am really a Christian based on these more minor (in my estimation) viewpoints.

And my salvation was called into question today. This is one area you absolutely don't want to mess with me.

This has been very hard. I don't feel inadequate, I just feel sad that we, as Christians could think of one another in this way. I'm just praying a lot about it. I feel a lot of anger and frustration about this situation and I just didn't see it coming at all. I thought we were just having a nice conversation and out of nowhere I was just told without question that I was absolutely wrong. There was no more discussion at this point.

I used to always say that I was a Christian but I don't really like them. Since the time that this was my montra, I have met MANY Christians that I did in fact really love (present company included I'm sure). But I just feel like I'm back in high school youth group where I never fit all over again. I was so taken aback by all of it that I couldn't respond at all, but maybe that was best in the end.

1 Corinthians 2:2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified...

In other news Jon and I are doing well. He had a team building event today with all of his employees at Camp Manitoqua. This camp is run by our pastor's wife and staffed by many people at our church. He said it went really well.

My job is going well. It looks like I'm getting promoted soon, so that's exciting.

Our move has been so good for us. Mom is coming up all day tomorrow, so that should be fun.

Peace...please be kind to one another.

it came to my attention

that i had my settings set on this to only allow members to post. i have changed that. sorry for any inconvenience...especially to kati.

it's cold here. off to work!

this is my framed picture at work

and a co-worker of mine was sitting at my desk the other day and just said...this picture makes me happy...you both look so happy.

i said "yeah, we were, that was right after we got engaged."

and yes, it makes me very happy as well 

we still have a few geese in the pond

This has been a bit of an emotional week for me. Everything is fine, just sometimes I feel more in either direction on the spectrum on emotions. I have super joyous feelings and in contrast some hard to handle down time.

I've been reading in Acts as Jon and I are part of this church plant. I wanted to see the early church again, how it began, etc. Something that really struck me about these first 18 chapters so far has been the honesty that they have with one another. We only really see this perspective from Luke looking at Paul and friends, but they all have such strong conviction in their actions. They don't hide what they feel is right and wrong and they just say whatever needs to be said.

At the end of chaper 18 they tell this story about Apollos speaking truth to the people, but he only knew part of the story. Apollos only knew of Christ up until the baptism of John. The best part of this story though is that Priscilla and Aquila hear him and they tell him the further story of Christ at this point. This man Apollos doesn't freak out and say that they are wrong or they have made him look foolish, etc. He holds on to this truth and then the chapter further goes on to say that the church encouraged him and that Apollos helped the church as well. He put away his pride and insistence that he was right for the gospel and was rewarded for that.

This story has given me a lot to think about the past few days. It's a good reminder to me to be open to other's guidance, but to also not be afraid to put my thoughts and feelings out. I feel the greatest blessing can come from being open to one another and the truth of Christ.

So far I have been remarkably blessed by the people at Missio Dei (our church planting group). For example the other week Paul, our head pastor, passed out a flyer that had at the top "Prayer and Picket" and asked us to dialog on this. The flyer was inviting Christians to come and picket Planned Parenthood... oh and pray. Pretty much we all came out unanimously saying that this "demonstration" of faith was so negative that none of us could really support it. This demonstration was showing hate and not love or alternatives to these girls who are making these decisions. The flyer was not giving any other options to these women who obviously feel that they don't have any. They were just going to stand out in front of a building and show their disgust for the actions that could be taking place on the inside. So we are all trying to figure out a way to even partner with Planned Parenthood to try and help these women. We can't stop them from abortion, but we can try to give a listening ear or some guidance to encourage them to keep the children.

I just really appreciate the way this group of people try to take their beliefs and make them stand for positive and productive things in society rather than just tearing it down. This is a longer post and a little more opinionated than usual. So, sorry if you prefer the short blurbs...I'm sure they will make more occurences in the future.

Stay warm, with love,

kim

Favorite things

Today it occurs to me that it has been a while since I've posted. Things with us have been going really well. Jon is getting used to his new supervisory position, and my job is going quite well. Fall is my favorite time of year and it always reminds me of my other favorite things.

"These are a few of..." at this particular season...

books of the Bible: Isaiah, Hosea, and James have been really influential for me lately

"This American Life" on NPR. Ira Glass is my new best friend.

sports? Kind of in general...I just like to watch them now. baseball, football...it's strange

Lost and Veronica Mars are my two favorite TV shows right now. Yes, I said Veronica Mars.

this Joni Mitchell and James Taylor concert from a while ago that we just downloaded

long-sleeved green T-shirts (I have three, they are all the same color of green but from completely different events over the last 5 years)

soup...I am making a couple different kinds today

pumpkin candles

John Piper (I'm actually making some progress through the book from 2 months ago now!)

the Canadian geese that are migrating...some have made a temporary home in our pond

I should take some pictures...

Much love!

I need to sleep

It's been a little while. We have actually been quite busy. It's been nice.

Last weekend the church plant we are involved in had a retreat to have some fellowship and teaching time. It was a very good time for me. I think our involvement with this is going to be a welcome "kick in the pants" for Jon and I.

I'm not feeling very antecdotal today, so I think I'll just close...take a nap.

http://www.mdchurch.us/

This is our church.

Today I ran a 14 and 1/2 minute mile. This is a huge deal for me.

today

Today is the day that everyone talks about September 11th and the tragedy that happened on that day. I was thinking about 2001 today and what I experienced in that year, at that time, on this day. Being out in Philadelphia at that time was so surreal. Everyone knew someone who had been hurt, or maybe their relative did not go to work that day for some strange reason. We all needed to feel involved and affected so much. I'm not trying to make any more of a statement than that. Today I tried to just be sure I still felt affected by it, that I didn't discount the oddness of that time for me.

Jon and I are going to meet with a couple from a new church we've been attending. This couple along with another are starting a church in March. Jon and I feel very strongly that we would like to be a part of that church plant. So, needless to say I'm pretty excited about this dinner.

So now Jon's talking to me non-stop about Christmas presents...guess it's time to cut this short. Yes, that's right...I said Christmas presents.

Peace all. Deck the halls.

Settling in

Jon and I have moved now 4 times since the month before we were married. One of those was just a minor move in Philadelphia before we realized we were moving out to Peoria. So, that's three major moves. I worry that it has become a sort of addiction for me. It's all been motivated by Jon's job which has provided so much for us, but sometimes I think that I've just grown accustomed to these huge upheavals.

It's been hard for us to keep in touch with the friends we make in each place because when we move we want to try to meet new people (which has also been difficult at times).

Anyway all of that to say that in each of these moves, some things inevitably get lost. This time only minor things were misplaced that we figure are either crammed into the back closet (which we don't plan on touching until we move again) or we just gave them away in the last few weeks.
Yesterday I was making banana bread. This was the first time I've tried to bake anything from scratch since the move because my first job here was approximately 60 hours a week. That's why I have a different job now. All of that to say it took me three grocery store trips to get everything I needed. I would go through the recipe and I was just sure I had said item, but then I'd get home and realize I didn't have that either. So, I would go out again in search of another ingredient. I was so annoyed. We moved at the end of May and I still don't have vanilla.

This is not interesting, I'm sorry about that...

Pizza

Jon and I are picky about our pizza. We have had a hard time finding any in Chicagoland that we like really well. Most are adequate, but they all cost over $15 for a one topping large. It's just too bad. If anyone can think of any suggestions...it's been a bit of a slow week. I hope yours is well.

last one today

This was probably the best picture taken of the two of us that day. In any picture taken any closer to the two of us, Jon looks like a sweaty ball of goo. So, this is a little shout out to all of you who endured our "smokin' hot" ceremony.

Thanks for that 

pretty anthea

I do really love this picture of Anthea, but I'm mainly posting it so that she'll eventually look at it and let me know if she's still alive!!!

much love A 

a few more wedding pics

this is my favorite of the wedding party... 

Trading Up

Friday thru Tuesday of my life this last week was consumed by this book which was written by Candace Bushnell (famed writer of Sex and the City). I decided that I wanted to start reading again and every time I do that, I remember why I don't read that often. I don't even really want to say that I liked the book, it just consumed me. I could not stop reading it. The main character is a self centered model in New York. I did not really gain sympathy for her until around page 400, yet I lasted until then. When I thought back on the book, there was nothing remarkable about it. It was ok, but I think that Candace Bushnell is either a good writer that takes you so far into the story that you don't even rely on character development. The other possibility is that she has some kind of magical writing power that lets you take away 12 hours of your life without even noticing.

I'm also reading When I Don't Desire God by John Piper. However in contrast I have been trying to get thru this book for a few weeks now. It's not coming quite as easy, but here's hoping...

Sweet potato

This is the newest addition to our family via Jon's side. Hannah and her parents are shown below. She is so much fun. All three came to visit us last week for Jon's birthday and we had a wonderful time. The worst part of their visit though, is that we all remember how much we wish that we lived closer to one another. 

Monday...

Jon and I went for sushi because our dinner was not finished yet and we were both hungry. Then we came home and ate roast and potatoes. I am struck by home random this combination of foods is...kind of gross actually, but I am happy and full. If anyone comes and visits and likes sushi...we must eat at this place we found, it's yummy.

My fervor is motivated by my inability to actually move

I'm not feeling particularly well today. So instead of doing things that need to be done, I'm just working on this blog.

Yesterday I went back home to central Illinois. Now that we live up north I take a new way to get to my parent's house. It involves driving on Route 24 for a long time. I love driving through this part of Illinois as it is filled with fields. Growing up in this area has conditioned me to find the vast expanse of nothingness quite comforting. Most people find these areas to be annoying and boring. I, however, always feel invigorated when I drive through the corn fields. That is not to say that a good trip into a great city like Chicago and New York does not also have the same effect of euphoria on me.

I don't think I am unique in this love of both the urban and rural, but I just bring it up to say that I think there is so much joy to be gathered from our day to day life. Yesterday it was in driving for miles without seeing another person, but on Monday I found great joy in seeing hundreds of people at once in downtown Chicago.

So now we live in the suburbs. This is not new for me either. I lived in "the burbs" in Philly as well. I like the suburbs, I've finally allowed myself to say that. However, I don't think that I could ever say it has the best of both worlds. They are just the suburbs. There are conveniences that are not obtained in the rural setting, but there is an escape from the constant push of urban life. These attributes are my favorite parts of the suburbs. Oftentimes, it just feels like a compromise though, not an improvement.

One of my favorites from Chicago

We spent Monday in the city. I think this picture is super! 

Happy Birthday Jon

Debbie, Roderick, and Hannah came to visit us last week. We had a really wonderful time. They are great parents, and the baby was so fun to have around.

An old picture

This was taken three years ago now when we got engaged. It's still one of my favorites. Anyway, Jon is still working in the cellular field and I am in medical billing. We have moved quite a lot in the time we have been married, but we have made some wonderful friendships along the way. Let me know how you all like the blog so far. Is there anything you would like to see more of? I will try to update once a week or so, probably more at the beginning since it's a new thing for me. The Lord continues to be gracious and bless us greatly with our relationships with each other and friends and family. Thank you all for being a part of our lives. Much love. 

This is our view

The picture is courtesy of Debbie and Roderick. This is the view from our apartment. It's pretty great. 

We were pretty bad about getting wedding pics out for people to see. This is one of my favorites. I can post more if anyone would like... 

August 2006

This was a fun time in the city with our family. Jon and I really needed some time off and we were able to enjoy it thoroughly! 

We've tried this before

Hello to all. Jon and I have tried a number of times to keep one of these going. This one is purely for us to add on some pictures and give brief updates on our life. I think Jon is trying to still keep up one for his writing. But I am finding more and more that I really enjoy reading our friends and family's blogs to just keep up on what is happening with them. So, thanks for your time and I hope this helps keep us in better communication.