Wow I aM bOrEd!!

Joon,

            While you were at work today I was at home SOOO incredibly bored!! It reminded me that only months ago you were at home, jobless, friendless and lonely while I went to school all day and studied all night. Its only been 4 hours and I am going crazy! I am complaining, Im grumpy, lazy, smelly and I cant think of any thing to do. I cannot even imagine what is was like for 3 months. So Thank you Bubba for sticking it out those first few months. Thank you for not letting me know how horrible it must have been. Thank you for not being grumpy, not complaining, keeping up with your hygiene and loving me through it. You were/are patient, strong, ambitious, transparent, beautiful, selfless, and perfect! Thanks for supporting me in Erie and school and I am so proud that you gave it a long enough chance for God to go to work in your life through Erie. I love you and hurry up and GET HOME!!

Husband

Snow or Sand

As Duke and I walked today- I fell in love with the way the snow captured our tracks. One was mine, one was his. simple. That's when I thought back to my favorite poem; Footprints in the Sand. 

Enjoy:)

Footprints in the Sand 

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. 

Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.

In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.

Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there was one only.

This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints, so I said to the Lord,

“You promised me Lord, that if I followed you, you would walk with me always.

But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there has only been one set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most, have you not been there for me?”

The Lord replied, “The years when you have seen only one set of footprints, my child, is when I carried you.”

---

Hope you felt inspired.

Excuse me!

But is it really December??


That means Thanksgiving is done and we're moving towards Christmas. Which is a little sad because that means Arizona is in the past- and won't show it's face again until March- when one my best girlfriend's ties the knot- countdown pleasee!


Thanksgiving was wonderful. Seeing my Mom was like seeing an old best friend. So thankful that the distance has made us closer. It was also great because Duke's mom- my second mom- came to arizona to celebrate too- I love having the different dynamics under one roof!


When we returned home from the trip- I got the stomach flu. It's already hard transitioning from vacation to work as it is- but to get knocked down in the process is just not fair. 
Not mention that we had our first snow fall!! It was so beautiful until it wouldn't STOP snowing. I had to buy snow tires today: 500 dollars. That was not fun- I actually teared up a little bit when he said the total. That's the price I have to pay I guess for moving to the middle of no where. 


I'm looking forward to December and all it has to offer: sledding, our little Christmas tree, hot chocolate, a fireplace (which we don't have), Toledo, and Family.


It's going to be hard having another Christmas away from home. wish I could pack Nosh- mom- and lucy in a bag and ship them here-maybe one day!!
Speaking of my sis- she started a blog! You can read up on her crazy, fun, stylish, life here:
NOSHNOSH



Last note: I called Duke crying today when my car got stuck in snow-and my windshield wipers were frozen- and I couldn't see the road.  It's just so fun driving in snow.

22 things about 22

As I’m wrapping my 22^nd year of life I thought I'd highlight the major moments of the year- some  beautiful and some difficult:

1.     I married my BEST friend

2.     I graduated college with a degree that was meant for me.

3.     I moved away from my entire family.

4.     I survived a year of long distance.

5.     Missed my dad for 2 whole years.

6.     Drove Across the country- ended up in Pennsylvania.

7.     Planned an entire wedding with my best friend Kim in 6 months.

8.     Went to Vegas with the greatest group of people.

9.     Celebrated my last year of being a Young Life leader.

10. Was a bridesmaid for my great friend Becky.

11. Went to Harry Potter land!

12. Learned how to cook (somewhat)

13. Went without a job for three months.

    14. Had an amazing honeymoon on Florida beaches.

15. Got in a car accident in December –kinda my fault but not really.

16. Started working for an amazing Foundation in Erie.

17. Gained an amazing mother-in-law, another sister, and my1st brother 

18. Was welcomed into a girls group that helped make Erie home.

19.  Drew closer to Mom- more than ever before.

20.  Lost Brutus- the worlds's most incredible dog. 

21.  Celebrated four and half months of marriage.

22.  Looking ahead to Thanksgiving in Arizona with my amazing family and friends!!

As I look back on 22- filled with so many highs and lows- I can only thank God for all the blessings he has given me- and how he continues to stretch and grow me. This year was a tough, beautiful, challenging, and rewarding. I can only hope for health and happiness as I step into 23.

(I’m such a grandma now!!) 

                            

snapshots.

The beauty of Fall:

Pumpkin picking:)

Pomegranates are a huge family favorite- normally we pick them right from the tree in the backyard- lay down blankets and eat them on the grass like crazy. You can never wear anything you're not willing to get messt because you WILL end up with red stain on you- that's just how it goes.

Since I missed that tradition this year- I decided to buy my own at Wegmans! I seeded them in the kitchen and got red stains on every wall :/ Oh well- gotta be willing to pay the price 

RAINBOWS

The view from worky on Friday- most beautiful.

PARTIES

Sorry Sarah stole this picture from you:)
This pictures wraps up Halloween weekend! Our friend Sarah threw a very fun partayyy- so Duke and I went as hippies!!
MORE PICTURES TO COME:) 

                      

parts of you are parts of me

Part 1. Work: 

The job has been great! So great. I finally feel settled in, and have a grasp of what I will be doing. This past week was so busy- first time in my life I've worked overtime- but I love it- and it really doesn't feel like work. A part of my job is traveling to meet with different organizations- so getting the opportunity to leave the office for a few hours a day really helps it feel NOT like a routine. 

 Something cool is that I got my first set of business cards last week- which I probably love because they have my new name on them- Rashin Keller- I still haven't gotten used to it. 

The low of work this week was probably having to submit a drug test..I hate the process, and it hates me just as much. I decided to go on Wednesday, and decided I was not allowed to use the restroom past noon. On way to the lab (4:30 pm) I realized I was in big trouble because I had to go right then- and of course when I got to the lab there was a family in front of me!! Needless to say, I waited 30 minutes for my turn and probably damaged my bladder for life- all because I am cursed by these tests! 

A taste of Erie weather:

These pictures are from my office window taken at the same time on Mon and Tues- The weather is so unpredictable- never know what your'e going to get :/ 

Part 2. Love:

Today was Duke and I's 2 year anniversary. I don't think were allowed to count it anymore- since were celebrating months of marriage now- and by that standing were at a whopping 3.5 months! yes! 

We did kind of celebrate the occasion by going to a great restaurant downtown- maybe a new favorite- but hoping to do more next weekend while were in Cleveland celebrating Duke's new grandpa age of 25!!

Part 3. Family:

Miss my family so much this week. It was Lucy's (our puppy-or third daughter if you asked my mom), birthday. My sister sent me a lot of videos and pictures-and it made me miss everyone SOO much- cannot wait for Thanksgiving!

This week my mom also sent me my second care package- It was filled with amazing WARM clothes that will help me get through the winter. She loves me so well:)

parts of you-are the best parts of me.
happy reading.

This one's for you

Finally. just finally. I got a job. a REAL job. A job that makes my heart happy. A job that makes me feel that I have made some right choices so far.. and I haven't somehow missed the mark.


I remember the day clearly when I first heard of the nonprofit leadership and management major. At that time I was a Business ________ major..I really didn't know where I was going with it...maybe management, economics, blah blah. I didn't love it. But to be honest, I never understood what a nonprofit major completely encompassed either. But at that time I was driven by love.


The love came from the pain and struggle that had been known as cancer. A cancer that was very aggressive. My Dad was the strongest, most wonderful man I knew and could defeat the world, but just not cancer. I remember loosing him changed my heart..it was broken..and when it began mending..it wanted to help others; specifically others who were in need like my dad and family were. Till this day I have a heart for the hospice care system..and I know I will end up there one day, somehow, but I think I still need more time.


This job journey in Erie has been hard for so many reasons; the most difficult was the fact I thought my major was useless in this town, (I ended getting my BA in NP management and leadership after all), and that I would not be able to find the work that made me sincerely happy. Well its coming up to about three months, and every opportunity that I had seemed to slip through the cracks somehow.. every door was shut. 


By the love and grace of God.. my (and when I say my I also mean: my family, sincere friends, and my patient Duke) prayers were finally answered. I heard about the position through the job agency that I was going through..it was originally supposed to be a three week position- but it was with a nonprofit. After some hesitancy and pride of course, I swallowed the idea of being a temp and showed up for my first day ready to work. The moment I got there, I knew something was different- it felt different. 


After talking with the manager about my background in NP- it became clear they did not know the major existed, and were very excited. What takes them days of training, is fundamental knowledge that was taught to us everyday in class..I wanted to do this- I wanted to be on this team.


I am so lucky, honored, humbled to say that after my first day- the foundation asked me to join their staff full time!!! Through this opportunity I am getting the chance to meet with local np's and learn about their mission- what makes them do what they do- and help create a more socially accelerated community. 


I spend my days hearing from Directors who have incredible stories that have driven them to create significant change- just like what the story of my dad has done for me. 


I finally feel like this is where I was meant to be. 
God had a plan. 


So here's to you Dad.. and to all the inspiration you've given me

An Easter photo shoot 07'