The Parish

A...B...C...

My good friend @AngusEcrivain "tagged" me in this little Wattpad fad; and I am unashamedly participating. It’s an alphabet all about me, and it was a lot harder than you think. Let’s see where this goes…

A—Alabama. Dixie, sweet tea, southern drawls, and where this no-accent, but loves to organize a pot luck lady is from.

B—Ben. My husband, the one who keeps me grounded and loves me really, really well.

C—Cooking. We are constantly cooking for people. I love to cook and break out the fancy dishes. Never underestimate the power you have to make someone feel important by taking the rolls out of a bag and putting them on a platter just because they are coming over.

D— Dishes. I hate doing dishes! This would be problematic (see previous letter) but my husband does them most every night. Add saint to that list above, would you?

E—Elephants. Ben has a collection that I tolerate—it’s a small collection—but, the best part is that a few months ago he arranged them in a circle while singing “The Circle of Life”. I wish you would have been there. It was hysterical.

F—Frederick Beuchner. He’s a reverend author from the 80s who is still very influential, and he changed the way I write, read, think about Jesus, and the world around me. He’s sassy and crass, and doesn't seem very reverent at all, at first glance. This is probably why I love him a little.

G—Great dane. We have one. Her name is Gator Chomp—because we thought having a 120-lb dog named Chomp was a terribly idea.

H—Hook shot. I might be closely approaching thirty, but I can still hang in game of basketball. I might even beat you. Well… if we’re playing PIG.

I—Ice Cream. Icing. Ice box pie. I’m sorry. I’m hungry, and it seems to be affecting my list making skills.

J—(The) Jesus Storybook Bible. It sounds simple, but this book has had the biggest impact on my life in the last three years. Never Stopping, Never Giving up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love…of Jesus’ secret rescue plan.

It gives my chills and hope.

K—Kids! I’ve worked with them all my life, and still do. I think they are ingenious, insightful, creative, and worthy of love. They make my life a little brighter, every day.

L—Laughing. I love to make people chuckle and outright laugh. It’s one of my absolute favorite things. I hope you see this if you've ever read one of my stories. 

M—Mustard. Seriously, though. I love a good hot dog—is this just an American thing? – and I only eat mustard on it. Don’t judge me.

N—Nerd. Because I am one. To the max.

O—Off day. Because this day is that, and I love sitting around, playing with the pups, watching Top Chef, and writing. Laundry gets in the way, but I'll take it in exchange for a day of rest. 

P—Pop-culture stupid. Your references are probably lost on me. I’m so, so sorry. I know you work hard on them, and I want to affirm you in that, but I just can’t.

Q—Quilts. I use one on the couch even in the summer. #oldlady

R—Ray LaMontagne. He got me through every study session in grad school, and is my go-to writing muse.

S—Settlers of Catan. If you come to my house, chances are, you’ll end up playing. I’m sorry and you’re welcome.

T—Teaching. Friends, it’s what I love to do; what makes me tick, and when I shine. I love it, thrive in it, and hope to do it all my days.

U—Unique. My mom told me that I was unique last week. I think this is her way of saying, “I’m not sure how to respond to you”. Haha =)

V—Visual. I’m a visual thinker, doer, and learner. I need to see it above all else.

W—Writing. Because I really like it when I get to do it, and I like what other people take the time to put down on paper.

X—XX, as in female. Because I think girls are amazing, beautiful, and make the world go round. Listen, I love a good man—especially mine—but I am proud to be a classy, hardcore, kind, don’t-mess-with-me-or-mine-sort-of-gal.

Y—Yard Sales. We go every weekend and have a really good time sifting through other people’s junk. Our house is a random assortment of what my husband calls “trinkets”; but the good kind—no porcelain pigs with wings, here.

Z—Zebra. Because I need to go to bed.