confessions

I am NOT a morning person.

I know you're surprised because if you've ever been around me in the morning you'll have experienced a perfectly coherent Caitlin whose abilities of articulation are at their peak and whose decision making is always rational and straight forward.

I'm being facetous, obviously. Caitlin pre-Americano is a scary sight to behold.

A few Sundays ago I had the pleasure of leading worship at my parent's church, Bethany Baptist. Rehearsal begins at 6:45am :: TOO EARLY. After changing the key of a few songs and answering a few questions with totally irrelevant answers, Scott, the bass player yelled to the sound guys in the back, 'Can someone go get Caitlin a cup of coffee?'

January 4, 2010. I officialy started my first big-girl job!

I am now a full-time Administrative Assistant at Russell Investment Group in Tacoma. You can check us out at Russell.com (and if you can figure out what we do. . . please call me because I've been curious for a few months now). I work on floor 8 of 12 with a whole bunch of salesmen who are really excited about college football. If you've ever felt totally out of place and confused about how you got where you are. . . you know how I feel. Although, I do have to admit that I work with a wonderful admin team who have made my transition into a full fledged Russell Associate very smoothe. I do things like maintain spreadsheets and update calendars. I send out Holiday cards and gifts to clients. My new big job is approving all of the requests for client gifts that come through the office. I have to make sure that they're complient with the IRS regulations, etc, etc, etc. It's weird to hear myself talk like this sometimes.

Although I've only been an associate for 1 week, I've been working at Russell as a temp for the last 2 months. Temp-ing is a good gig because you get to try out all sorts of different organizations/companies and most of them really want to hire you when you're done (as long as you do good work). My last temp contract was at REI headquarters. As you can imagine, REI is an extremely causal work environment and all of their associates are fanatical about things like kyacking. Needless to say, the differences between REI and Russell are astounding. The number 1 difference :: High heels and neck ties.

I like to think of myself as a fairly versitile, fashion comfortable woman. I own my share of heels and dress pants. Professional looking tops for someone who is shaped like me are a little harder to come by, but I'm not doing too bad in that department either. I have found, however, that there is more of an art to clothing that extends beyond blue jeans and a t-shirt. One has to be much more intentional about blues and blacks and browns, about not mixing wide-legged pants with balloony tops, and wearing shoes that will gracefully deliver you from your parking spot 2 blocks away to your 8th floor desk. On top of that, I'm almost gaurunteed that it's going to be raining, complicating a vast array of hair-dos.

Mix all of these (very important) variables with my very opening statement and there is only one word left to describe what has happened : FRUMP. All these fashion details are too much for the CaitlinShirley morning brain to handle.

A couple weeks ago, I got to work, and after drinking my first cup of coffee I went to use the ladies room, only to find that I looked like the perfect candidate for 'What NOT to Wear!' Please imagine::

1. Teal turtle neck shirt [I have NO idea why I decided that buying this shirt on clearance at Old Navy was EVER a good idea. I think when I pictured it on myself, I forgot to factor in MY body, and somehow imagined someone else with a long neck, petite shoulders, and less than a C cup wearing it. On me. . . it has the opposite effect. I just look short, wide and HUGE!]

2. Black wide-legged pants. [Not so bad, but with the wide turtle neck shirt, they just made me look square!]

3. Hair with the poof on top, pulled back [not the most flattering or 'fresh' looking hair style with the box-yness of the top]

4. A black sweater. [Basically, the sweater put it over the edge. I looked like I was at least 40 years older than I am!]

5. Flats. [To seal the deal on my looking short, square, and generally WIDE]



I think it's going to take me a while to adjust to the professional dress and general atmosphere, but I'm excelling at the integration into relationships and interpersonal dynamics. I work with 5 wonderful women who have been very gracious in showing me all of the important aspects of our jobs and allowed me to take some of their responsibility. I'm also enjoying getting to know some of the sales managers and sales reps.

It was only a year ago that I realized I wouldn't be leaving after graduation for the Peace Corps. I never would have imagined that instead I'd be working in corporate investments. Funny how God turns things upside down.

I'm so excited about what He's doing and the paths that He's paving so for me to do something radical. No CLUE what it is, but I'm sure that it's going to be FUN!!

Please pray that I would know and understand how to be Christ in this place. It starts with smiles and silent prayers, but someday it may evolve into more than that. Pray that my heart would never become hardened for marginalized people while working for people who have never known marginalization for more than 30 seconds in their lives. Thank the Lord for His provision and plans, even when we have NO idea what they're going to be.

ps. 42:8

Some of you may have already seen some of these pictures on Facebook or something, but they're so beautiful, I feel like they're worth posting again.

One thing that's difficult about being a good friend of any bride is that there are 1 million things pulling her in all different directions throughout the preperation time and especially during the wedding itself! I went to LA expecting to have very little quality time with Bree because of the nature of the event and the visit. But God is so good! He arranged some very beautiful moments for us to spend together and experience together.

When I first arrived in LA, Kindra whisked me from the airport back to her house where she and Bree and I spent our first few hours together in 6 months. This time was full of talking and laughing and gift giving. It felt just like we'd never been apart! I'm so thankful I have those kinds of friends!

We were also able to spend the night before the wedding together. More giggles and some tears ensued, but we managed to get to sleep and wake up at the crack of dawn to begin the preparations.

In the car on our way to the wedding site, Bree spotted this card in Kindra's car and it was a beautiful to reminder to all three of us that He is sovreign over all things and that His presence is continually with us. More than almost any other moment, I think I will cherish this one for the rest of my life.

It says, "By day the Lord commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life."

Brad's mom is a flourist and she created this beautiful work of art for Bree. It was her gift and expression of a special love an honor for Bree, her beauty, and new place in the Wescott family.





All the set-up was going on in the backyard while we were getting ready and we were all eager to view the beautiful canopy and decorated arch.



Andrea, Megan & Amanda with B(ride)
Kindra & I with B(eauty)
Sisters: Erin & B(ree)
New sisters: Erin, Bree & Amy

I don't have any pictures of the reception or the ceremony because I didn't want to feel like I was at work. I soaked up every single moment. I caught the bouquet! I ate some red velvet cake (Mmmm). And as quickly as it had all started, it was over.

And off they went.



B checked in with me last night and reported that they're having a fabulous honeymoon!

Blessings dear friends! Thanks for letting me share in your special day and in your future as well!

<3>

everyone needs a pod :: day six

I started writing this post a long time ago, but have been INSANELY busy so I haven't had time to finish it or begin any other thankful blog entry. I have, however, been thinking about it each day and have much to add to this, only no time to add it.

I've written about The Pod before.

But in case you weren't tuned in at that point in history. . . I'm not referring to the pea kind of pod, or space kind, or the 'i' kind. It's the friend kind. You know, like 'two peas in a pod'?



Except there are three in this pod ::



However, soon the pod will be changing slightly.

We're about to welcome Brad to the family. Of course, he won't be an official member of The Pod, but because of his relationship with Bree, he'll be a pretty big part of it!

Bree and I met on a rainy evening in Kirkland, WA at the home of some Biola alum who hosted a dessert for prospective Biola students. I don't remember much about the whole interaction, but I do remember feeling like she was the type of girl I would never be very good friends with.

It makes me giggle now. I was so wrong.

Sometimes I'm not super clear about what changed. We started to hang out at the end of our freshman year and right from the beginning I decided I was going to be real with her. Some people are delicate and you have to be gentle. . . others can handle real life without all the fluff. B is that kind of pod. She and I have always been straight with one another. I can always count on her to call me out if I'm ignoring the truth. She always encourages me by speaking the words of the Father. She's beautiful and wonderful and fun!

Favorite memories include the following:

:: Laying out in the G's backyard while they're on vacation. We would always take those times to talk about life's deepest and greatest issues.

:: Drinking milktea at Cafe Veronese with my guitar and our journals.

:: Listening to Mike Bickle sermons on the Song of Solomon and experiencing SO much intimacy with Jesus. 'Okaaaaay, the 100-fold heart of the Father. . . '

:: Cracked out finals weeks and giggles that seemed they would never end. (Don't worry, we didn't literally do crack, it's a coloquial saying meaning that we were really, really tired and it made us a little crazy)

:: Balling our eyes out on the floor at Bobby's house. If it wasn't her, it was me. Every week!

:: Dropping blackberry pies on the floor, eating yellow rice & black beans, and drinking Asti.

. . . just to name a few :)

B2. . . I'm SO happy for you both. I'm so excited that God has done such a work in both of your hearts and minds that has led you both to this place. I cannot wait to celebrate with you all the joys of life and also to weep with you during the inevitable difficult times.

See you on Wed, Pod.

<3 Cpod

busy busy busy :: days four/five

Weekends are anything but relaxing for me these days. Saturdays usually hold an 8 hour shift at Old Navy and then on Sundays I blow out my voice and build up my finger calouses! But for me, busyness encourages thankfulness. Somehow I'm able to appreciate the beauty of small things when there's a bunch of stuff going on. But I'm taking my lunch to catch you up on my thankful heart.

Since I've come home, I've encountered MANY surprises that the Lord had arranged for me. Each little thing is a confirmation that my moving home (although it was not my preferred choice) has landed me in the center of His will! It's only been 6 months, but I'm daily surprised at how much I've done and how beautifully it has been orchestrated for me.

Because I brought it up, I'll give you a little career status update ::
+I work at Old Navy in Puyallup and like it (for the most part). It's fun fashion for the whole family! And I can tell you that the month of December is going to see some pretty incredible sales! [Oh, and if you want a coupon that will allow you to get 20% extra on a gift card. . . comment on this post and I'll send you one soon!]
+I also work at Russell Investments. It's boring and dull, but I like the people I'm working with and I like having a real job at a great company!

Moving on to thankfulness ::
When I moved back to Puyallup, I expected to jump into an internship with the college community at my church, Mosaic. To make a long story short, the leadership of the ministry shifted and the Lord led me instead toward getting involved with Sunday morning worship. I loved it! It was great to play guitar and sing and a few times this summer I led all three morning services on my own!!
Enter George Bedlion III ::
George was the high school pastor at Bethany and had been in the process of recruiting me to start leading worship for the high school group when God began to open the doors for him to plant a church on South Hill in Puyallup. George and I share much the same heart for the Lord, for people, and for ministry. I already had a deep respect and appreciation for him when he approached me and asked me if I wanted to be a part of what he was doing on South Hill. I prayed about it and through a series of dreams, words, and heart to hearts with the Lord, I agreed to plant along with him (and a handful of other families). It has been SO fun to be a part of what God is doing in that community and to see his heart revealed to people. It's like some fresh fire has come to anoint us specifically for this task. He's been providing for all of our needs and I think he's about to blow us out of the water.
We're on week 3 of worship services after a month or so of praying and meeting in homes. I wish I could share all of the stories of the lives and the relationships and the miracles! It's been great! I lead worship every Sunday and am enjoying watching the Lord bless people through music.

I'm so thankful for Whitewater Church!

What a pleasant surprise!

[Check out our website. . . almost all the photography on it is mine!!]

Surprise #2:
Aubry.

I'm running out of time to write. . . but this here she is.
She and I are one of the few who are back from college and not married.
I'm so thankful for another single girl who is excited about Jesus and loves to hang out.
We hung out on Saturday night and I was reminded about how much I need girls in my life to laugh with and cry with and share stupid stories with.
She's creative and fun and beautiful and I'm SO thankful for her.

i'll say it again :: day three

So I spent some extended time tonight with one of my favorite people on the planet:

BROOKLIN JOY RISSER!!!!!!

I know I talk about my sisters a lot on this blog but I'll say it again. She's so great. She's creative, smart, thoughtful, playful, teachable, and just generally fun.

Today I'm thankful for the littlest person in the Risser family. I'm thankful that God inserted her into our family. . . we'd be kind of lost without her.

setting a standard: day two

Day two is already a big challenge! My thankful heart hasn't been exercised in a while, I guess.

The tension that I'm arriving at each time I propose a possibility to myself is that there are some standard things that people (who have such things to be thankful for) are thankful for. I have to ask myself if my thankfulness for these things is truly from a thankful heart or if its from knowing I just got lucky to be put where I am. Things like a place to live, stuff to eat, people who love me, Jesus. . . you know. I think there are some moments and days when thankfulness for these things hits us and we see them in a new way. Sometimes it comes from a contrast with people who don't have these things. Sometimes it's just the Holy Spirit revealing to us a lack of gratefulness for what His grace has provided.

So today is my 'it's a given' day. That way I can just make it clear to my vast audience that my not mentioning these things throughout the next 15 days is not because I am not thankful for them, but simply because other things tickled my thankful heart on that particular day.

1. My family! We're an odd bunch, but we're pretty great.

2. A good education that will allow me to do many different things in my lifetime.

3. A community of people who love me and encourage me to grow and develop as a person.

4. A car that runs well. . . and it's kind of cute too!

5. A house to live in. With a bed and fresh paint and a closet.

6. For Jesus and His sacrifice. And for my relationship with Him. It's always what keeps me going.

7. Food to eat and a job to keep me above water, so to speak.

8. For friends who laugh and cry with me. Can't wait to find more and grow with those I already love.

this is a test: day 1

Sometimes I brouse Facebook status updates and I come across some interesting nuggets of wisdom (or the lack thereof) and I long to respond with some little piece of wit or sarcasm so as to prompt the writer to actually THINK about what they're writing for all the world to read.
The following (although not particularly foolish) is the comment that prompted this post and the 16/17 that are to follow:

"Let's see how many people can do this. Every day until Thanksgiving, think of one thing that you are thankful for and post it as your status. "Today I am thankful for..." The longer you do it, the harder it gets! Now, if you think you can do it, then repost this message as your status to invite others to take the challenge, then post what YOU are thankful for today."

I'm under the impression that the longer you do it. . . the EASIER it gets. The only reason it would get harder is because you run out of creative/interesting things to say you're thankful for. . . which would suggest that you're posts each day are not flowing from a truly thankful heart.
I totally understand, thankfulness is really difficult because as humans, we just want to feel like we're entitled to the things we like or we want to believe that we earned them and these attitudes don't lend themselves to thankfulness.

No theory can go untested so, in response to this Facebook post, I'm going to post each day (until Thanksgiving) something I'm thankful for. I'll tell you after the next 2.5 weeks if it got harder or easier the longer I go.

Today I'm thankful for LAUGHTER!

Last night I had dinner with my friend Megan and her new husband! We had some great, though provoking conversation, tasty chickpea curry, and ice cream. But the thing that I loved the most was our laughter. There's an odd sense of humor that we share and I love that it brings us together even after months of seperation. I love to laugh!

Please join with me and laugh at some things that I love to laugh at:

A Special Performance

A Dramatic Look

Contageous Laughter