Keeping Up Appearances

I've been wanting to write this post for awhile now but, for multiple reasons have put it off until now. Mostly, I just haven't had time, between work and school and church things, I seem to have zero time on my hands lately. This week though, I finally do seeing as I have the entire week off from work, which is a nice break. I want to start off by saying, what I say in this post is my own personal opinion and in no way reflects my feelings on my church, just the minority of people I have encountered in it.

Shying away from the "appearance of evil" is something I have been told my entire pre-teen to adult life. The first time I remember hearing this term was in young women's during a lesson on virtue, in the same lesson we were told, "french kissing is bad and will send you to hell, don't do it unless necessary." So, as you can imagine, I didn't really take it to heart because, that's just ridiculous, when is french kissing ever necessary? At least a couple times a year, I continued to hear the phrase "appearance of evil", it got used on me when I brought Starbucks to seminary (by the way it was hot chocolate). But, because it was a Starbucks cup people just assumed and I remember a parent telling me I should probably not bring Starbucks again because people could think the wrong thing. But hey, you know what they say about assuming things ;).

My immediate response was, "well, why should I care what anyone else thinks? I know what I'm drinking and that's my business". Then I got lectured and as I was such a lovely teenager, I just nodded my head and kept doing my own thing. Recently I have had to deal with the whole "appearance of evil" lecture again, and it just bothers me, I'm an adult, why can't I make my own decisions without people judging me? Like I said when I was a teenager, why should I care what anyone else thinks? It's my life and I know what I am doing is right or wrong, who is anyone else to judge me for it? Even if they do, why should I care? Luckily, I am secure enough with myself to say, I don't care. I don't care if little miss Molly or Peter are over there judging me for things they don't even know about. I don't care if they talk about me behind my back, it's happened my entire life so why should I care now?

We, as Christians are taught to "judge no lest ye be judged", and yet, in my church I feel like people are judged all the time. There is so much drama, all the time in the church and for me, it takes away the spirit. It makes me not want to go because I know, if I'm not following every little rule to a 'T' I will be looked down on. For a long time that was a major factor in me not going to church, which luckily I have decided is ridiculous. Why let a few judgmental people, effect my eternal progression? The church is true, the people aren't. That's my mantra when it comes to church, because while there are many that are great, amazing, inspiring people, there are just as many people who make me want to scream and kick puppies.

I just wish that people would get over themselves and learn that not everyone is a "perfect person". In fact, they aren't even perfect people. I just wish we would get rid of the term "appearance of evil" because it just really annoys me. I don't know if I made much sense with this post but my main point is this, stop being judgmental. Just stop it. It's easy, just get over yourself and your pride, humble yourselves and start realizing there is more than just your point of view. I know that not everyone will agree with me but, I know there are a lot that will, as well. On that note, though, I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and get to spend it with your families!




 

Playing Catch Up

Well, it has been a very long time since I last wrote on this blog and a lot has changed in my life. The biggest thing being I am back state side and no longer living with the most amazing Italian family anyone could ask for. When I left, I was ready to go, to come back to real life but then real life went down hill really fast and, I found myself ready to go back to Italy and the comfort of a virtually stress free life.

On top of Vesuvius

I got back home in February after an amazing two weeks with my Mom and Sister Price, going around Italy and Paris! My favourite part of that trip was probably being in Pompeii and hiking to the top of Vesuvius. It was seriously amazing, I hope I can go back sometime soon and just explore Pompeii for days, it is way bigger than I thought it would be! We met some amazing HIG's (Hot Italian Guys) and an even more attractive French man on the metro. I fell in love with Paris and want to go back, badly. That is something I find amusing because I have never had the want to go to Paris, but after going, I can definitely say I need to go back.

In Florida

In TN

So, like I said, I came home in February and I spent a week and some change at home before I was off again. This time I went to Tennessee to spend time with my awesome Birth Mother, Laurie. I had fun catching up with her and my siblings, and then subsequently catching the plague, which I then took to Florida with me where I went to visit my Birth Dad, Matt and see all my siblings there. I looked legitimately like I was about to keel over at any second, people kept looking at me funny when I was on the bus blowing my nose every five seconds.

At Grandpa's Funeral

From there I went back home and was starting to look for jobs when we got a call saying my Grandpa Kelley had had a bad stroke. We then scrambled to get down to Florida as fast as we could so we could see him one more time, before he passed and be with my Grandma. My family left the day after we buried my Grandpa and I stayed to help my Grandma get some stuff together and so that she would have some company. Now, while we were down there my Dad had gotten pretty sick so they drove straight from Florida to the doctor's where they then admitted him to the hospital. The day after they got home I got a call from my Dad, one I hope to never EVER have to hear again. He was calling to tell me goodbye because he had contracted this bacteria called Necrotizing Faciitis, and they didn't think he was going to make it through the surgeries. Now, anyone who knows me well knows I handle death very poorly, so I was already a bit emotional from my Grandpa's passing and then my Dad calls me telling me goodbye? I knew life could be cruel but that was just too much for me, way too much. My stake and family ended up fasting for my Dad in between the two surgeries and as most of you know, he is now doing amazingly well. So he went from basically being told he was a goner to now coming out of the hospital to be back home next week! In the past I have always had a hard time fasting, but after this miracle I haven't had problems with it, I don't whine anymore because fasting can truly help. My testimony of fasting and prayer has grown tenfold in the past few months with this whole situation with my Dad. Sadly though, while my Dad was still in the hospital, his mother, my Grandma Kelley also passed away from basically a broken heart. This was less sad for me because I know how much she missed my Grandpa, her eternal companion and I know that they now get to be together again, and nothing could be more comforting for me.

With my Daddy <3

On a less heavy note, I finally got a job! I am now a nanny to 5 little hyper kids, these kids are honestly so great. For anyone who has been a nanny or has babysat, you know that kids can be insane and make you want to curl up in a ball and cry. It honestly can be the best birth control in the world! These kids though, they are hyper and loud but they are amazing kids, I don't dread getting up every morning to go watch them and that makes me so happy!

My 2015 is finally looking up and I am excited for what the rest of the year will bring! I am excited to see my friend Brenda this New Years, she will be coming from Germany to visit her Grandma, and then we will meet in NYC to spend new years eve there in Time's Square which is something I have ALWAYS wanted to do! She will then come back to DC with me for a few days which will also be absolutely amazing!

I have become much more self aware this year, and am trying to fix my flaws and change for the better. Yes, I can be pessimistic, yes I can be dramatic but you know what? I'm working on that and I'm excited to see what I will be like this time next year! Life has a good way of whacking me in the face with frying pans but, here's to hoping the last 4 months of 2015 will be happy, healthy and full of opportunities.