#11 home away from home

I have grown to love this town.
and a huge part is because it has become my home away from home.

It's true, I still get homesick for where I grew up and that comfort, but if I could call any other place home, it definitely is here in Nashville!

What makes it home?
Lots of different factors. I think the biggest one recently for me are Sundays. Sundays at the Hogan household in Virginia are typically spent with close friends and family watching football (with me always doing homework!).
This past Sunday instead of going anywhere to watch the Steelers game, I invited friends over to my house.
We watched football, I did homework, I baked delicious cookies, we laughed, we chatted, and had some good community time!
Those are the moments when I know this has become my home.
Those comfort moments.
Those joys of just being in the presence of good friends.

this is what makes it home.
And I love it :)

Here are my pumpkin white chocolate chip cookies that were devoured!!


and then the empty plate...

#10 clothing swap!

Last night I attended my first ever clothing swap.

What is a clothing swap, you ask? Basically you get a bunch of girls together (well guys could do it too...but typically girls) and bring clothes/purses/shoes/scarves/whatever you don't want anymore. And what do you do with those items? Give them away! And in return, you get to 'shop' at the other girl's unwanted items. There are different ways to do it, but we all got together and went one by one through the items asking who wanted it...if there were mutual wants, then it was battled out by the girls (not really...we all really didn't care too much, it was a more of do I love this or like it). If you have a lot of people then you can set up rooms and basically shop around!

I absolutely love this idea, because you don't have to spend money! And you get rid of clothes that have been sitting in your closet.

What I came away with last night: (I should really post pics...maybe when I wear them!)
2 jackets
1 pair of jeans
3 skirts (2 of which are totally not my 'style' but trendy! I decided to branch out of my clothing comfort!)
3 shirts
1 pair of brown boots!

not too shabby, eh?!

I am hoping to host a clothing swap in a few weeks. Oh yes, I still can get rid of clothes! And can always use 'new' ones ;)

#9: welcome wooers

After living in Nashville, I feel like everyone knows everyone...or at least you will find some random connection with whoever you meet. I love this! It is fun to play the "who do we mutually know" game, and a lot of times it works. It keeps things alive! I love going up to random people and striking conversations, and in Nashville it is totally welcomed! That goes with my personality of being a 'woo' (if you don't know what woo is, take the StrengthsFinder test!). Nashville is the perfect city for this personality...or I just like to think so because it's me! Probably overwhelming, but something I've learned is that I shouldn't worry about fitting the perfection of what others want to perceive me as, but rather focus on all God has me to be!

Nashville - thank you for satisfying my outgoing personality by giving me lots of people and opportunities to talk to, share life with, and be who God created me to be!

#8: grocery store encounters

I went to the grocery store this morning. it was a typical grocery run and morning...well that's what I thought.

So as I am walking around Kroger, I head to the baking aisle (I mean, I love to bake, so why not!). I'm picking up my brownie and cake mixes and head to the chocolate chips. This woman was standing there as well and we got into a discussion about how the Kroger brand choc chips are not real and are made with chocolate liquor (who knew!) So we chit chatted about that and then she started to walk away and said something along the lines of "well you just look like such a great young housewife"

BAAAAAHHH. was my first inside reaction. I chuckled and said "Oh I'm definitely young, but nottt married!" She asked how old I was and as soon as I told her my age, she goes "that is how old my daughter would be, she passed away 3 years ago in a car accident". She got teary eyed and emotional and started to just share her heart with me. She told me that I reminded her of her daughter - full of life, trying to find the best deals, tiny framed, and smiling with joy. She proceeded to show me pictures - beautiful blonde haired blue eyed girl.

This woman then told me how comforting it is to know as a mother that your daughter is up in Heaven and that she lived a life after the Lord. OH and the best part was when she was telling me about the 5k that they have every year up at her college in Ohio and it's named after her daughter, Kelly. I immediately stopped her and said, "my name is Kelly". She just hugged me. Right there, in the middle of Kroger, I was hugging and crying with this strange woman. We talked for probably 20-25 minutes in the middle of the grocery store.

That moment was such a God thing...this woman spoke encouragement and truth into my life that I so needed to hear in amidst the craziness and stress of my life. At the same time, she needed someone to hear about her incredible daughter. The Lord truly brought us to the middle of the baking aisle this morning for a reason. And I was just so speechless and in awe of that encounter.

When we were walking away from each other, she said these final words "Continue to live your life, love it, and live it to the fullest finding all those blessings!"

Amen. Amen.

#7:jeni's ice cream

If you have never been to Jeni's Ice Cream, you need to go. Oh myyy gooodness. It is delicious goodness in your mouth. I went out to dinner with a friend the other night and on our way to my car we see Jeni's...immediately we both are drawn in...because well, let's face it, we're girls...and it's ice cream! Who can resist!? Apparently Jeni's started in Ohio and other than Nashville is only in Ohio...so we feel special here in Nash! What makes Jeni's unique is the flavors. Anywhere from Reisling Poached Pear to Brown Butter Almond Brittle to Brambleberry Crisp to classics like mint, vanilla, chocolate. This experience was overwhelming to say the least at first. But the employees were super helpful and let us taste test...a lot...we had a bouquet of sample spoons. A little embarrassing, but we just had no clue where to start! I ended up getting Riesling Poached Pear mixed with Lemon Blueberry (with blueberries mixed in there!) and Shaylee got the Brown Butter Almond with Coffee (yummmm!).

We will DEFINITELY be going back there. Weekly dates for us :) Delicious food followed by delicious ice cream=yes please!

#6 the stars

I can ACTUALLY see the stars here!!! Last night as I was pulling up to my house I just happened to look up and was just in awe of how many stars I saw...I couldn't believe it! I have seen the stars away from the city, closer to Franklin/Brentwood area but not 10 minutes from downtown!

to put this into perspective. whenever I am at my parent's house where I grew up (in northern va) I get excited if I see the big dipper...that is how light polluted that area is. so when I moved out west into more of...well the somewhat middle of nowhere...I get to see more stars!

I absolutely LOVE to star gaze and could just lay for hours looking up at the sky :) when I have done this in the past, that's when I have seen shooting stars! soooo awesome! I don't see the stars out tonight...but I know they'll be back :) and I know I'll be laying down watching them! there is always such a peace about stargazing...

I love Nashville because I can see the stars!!!

#5: the screaming girls

No, I don't really like screaming girls...but it is what the reasoning for the screaming girls...well I don't really love that...but I love the spontaneity of the the screaming girls and my day yesterday.

So as I was sitting in Entertainment Publicity class, I was doodling and checking twitter (and listening to my professor of course!). Well one of my friends tweeted that Justin Bieber was in downtown Franklin (for those of you not around here, Franklin is right outside of Nashville and a fun/cute little town). Immediately I gasped and my class turned to me in wonder and I responded with "justin bieber is in Franklin!". They all either laughed, said "I heard!", freaked out with me, or rolled their eyes because this crazy college girl got excited about the Biebs. Apparently Selena Gomez was with him too, just shopping around. And they were to start filming for his christmas music video... Now to my though process. Well part of me was like umm I am just gonna drive down there and see if I get a glimpse, but then I knew it would be insaaaaane and I didn't want to go alone or miss church... I texted one of my small group girls that JB was in Franklin and she flippppped and said "let's go let's go!!!" I told her I didn't want to skip church, but at the same time this would be good bonding time for us. So drove from class, picked her up, and waited for a few hours until we saw him step off of that bus.


Here is downtown Franklin last night -->


The process of watching JB fans/waiting for him was pretty adventurous... I have never seen so many 'in love' girls with a celebrity. it is crazy, and sad in a way. One girl told me she would dieeeee if she didn't see him. I really just wanted to tell her about Jesus...while I think that JB is a good role model, I don't think he should be worshiped as he is...and that makes me sad. The security guard touched the bus and then touched the girls blocked off and they flipppped saying, "I touched Justin's bus!". I just laughed. And the screams..oh the shrill screams, kind of haunting. All in all, it was quite the experience. I am glad I went to watch some production, see Justin Bieber, and mostly observe all the crazy fans. Another reason why I liked yesterday is because it broke routine for me. Sometimes you just need that randomness to a day to make it that much better :)

So yes, check it off the bucket list. I have seen Justin Bieber live. He is as small as people say, and he seemed nice from a far - I mean he smiled at us! haha. I wonder what goes on in his head...

P.S - back in February I took a few of my girls to go see the movie...that is when I approved of him. Here's a pic from that :)

#4: coffee shops

I have to have a post to just the coffee shops in Nashville. I love them. And don't go to them nearly enough...but nonetheless love em!

Not only do they have fabulous coffee that could be locally roasted at some places, but the atmosphere at these coffee shops are so fun and inviting! My favorite is Edgehille Cafe - this summer I would go and sit and read. This cafe is decorated with urban-y decor that i would love to have in my house. I just love going and sitting/relaxing while sipping some coffee, listening to music...people watching...journaling. so wonderful!

Another favorite is Frothy Monkey off of 12th south. Or Fido on 21st, Ugly Mugs, Crema (which I still have yet to go to!). Who needs Starbucks when you have these places?!

While I love going to coffee shops, I honestly haven't been in a while. Life has gotten pretty crazy with work and school...I think my goal for this week is to go to one of them for at least an hour...yep, that's my goal for the week!

#3: the people!

So these first few posts are going to be pretty generic about Nashville and my love for it...I thought I would get the big obvious ones out of the way, then move into random reasons/more specifics of why I love this city!

So the people. Seriously, love them! This is a city with a small town feel...so basically you get the southern hospitality mixed in the city. Being a city girl myself, I grew up in the hustle and bustle known as metropolitan D.C. Love the city, but man the people are on a mission and on the go alllll the time! Going back to visit, I just feel stressed...

here in Nashville, it's different. I will have 20 minute conversations with people randomly at the grocery store, coffee shops, and even at work. People are so genuine and down to earth and want to know how you are doing, what's going on in your life, even what the Lord is doing! I love that. I love going out and almost always running into someone I know. I love being real and hearing the hearts of people I either know or have just met. That's another thing, you meet someone and typically get an instant connection/conversation.

Now this isn't true for everyone, I am sure, but this has just been my experience. I have sparked conversations with random strangers about football (especially when I see something Steelers), music, Pine Cove or Kanakuk, running, and whatever random things I can think of sometimes. It's great :) So people of Nashville - thank you!

Why I love Nashville #2: FSM

What is FSM you ask? Why it is Fellowship Student Ministries. I volunteer at my church (Fellowship Bible Church) as a 242 (small group) leader and LOVE it! I started last fall with 9th grade girls and surprised them with a little photo shoot. -->

I have more girls this year (around 15) and I just love them! I love walking alongside them as they go through life and high school, all the drama, struggles, and growth. I'm not gonna lie, they wear me outtt! But I love it :)

In addition to my 242 girls, I have been able to be the 'adult' (ha I still laugh at that one) on a student led mini mission trip to Birmingham. We redid two rooms at a halfway home for women as well as fed the homeless. It was such a great trip just to see these highschool kids take leadership and serve their hearts out!

We also have weekend retreats, like Camp No Boys Allowed (um sooo fun!), that I go on. I love FSM because I am my crazy self. I love the kids that are there as well as the other leaders who have the same passion as me: to love and speak truth into the lives of highschoolers.

Through volunteering with FSM, I have noticed my passions and desires after I graduate have changed a bit...even though I am majoring in Recording Industry, I actually want to go back to school eventually to get a masters in counseling. Crazy, huh? The Lord has just placed a passion in my heart to love women who struggle, whether it be abuse, or eating disorders, or even relationships. I love the feeling I have when I leave youth group every Wednesday night, spent because I gave all the love I had to give, through the power and grace of Christ.

God has blessed me with the opportunity to serve and love on high school girls and I couldn't be happier.

Why I Love Nashville #1

So my blog is going to be dedicated now to reasons why I love the great city of Nashville...where I live. There are just a lot of things I love about this city, and a lot of blessings that I just want to share!

Reason #1: the music scene

Nashville isn't known for being the music city for nothing! There is constantly concerts going on, and a lot of times free ones! Being a once-upon-a-time musician/songwriter, I just love the atmosphere that music brings a city. You can always find musicians hanging out in the 'cool' coffee shops and the vibe that creates is pretty fun to be around.

Since being in Nashville I have seen the following: Dave Barnes (multiple times), Steve Moakler (also multiple times), Matt Wertz, Amy Stroup, Trent Dabbs, Ben Rector, Needtobreathe, Amos Lee, Hanson, Jars of Clay, Derek Webb, Love & Theft, Taylor Swift (no, I did not pay for this concert), Natalie Grant, Montgomery Gentry, Gretchen Wilson, Brandon Heath, Andrew Belle, Darius Rucker, an

d whoever played at the Dove awards!

<---pic of me and Dave!

Now if this list doesn't make you wanna come to Nashville, then I dunno what will! Keep in mind that I probably haven't spent more than $100 on all of these concerts! Yeah...how awesome!

So come visit me, and I'm sure you'll be here around a time when we can go listen to some good music :)

Remember when

So it has been 10 years.

10 years since our country was turned upside down.

10 years since that day when life as we know it would change.

forever.

I remember that day

the fear, the chaos, the unknown

I remember giving my dad the BIGGEST hug after he made it out safely from the Pentagon

I remember watching the news, hearing stories of friends and families

I remember our country joining together as one

I will forever remember where I was when I heard the news (7th grade lunch room)

I will always remember the pictures, the signs, the flag that was flown.

I will remember seeing the smoke.

I remember those who have given and lost their lives. Their sacrifice.

Most importantly, I will always remember that God is Sovereign.

And how blessed we are to live in a country filled with FREEDOM and men and women who fight daily for that.

I can't believe it has been 10 years...

why I love America!

If you know me, you know that I am passionate about America. Yes, I LOVE America!!! In fact, my camp name at Pine Cove: Miss America :) A few stories about my love for America...

- A few years back me and some friends (Strahobis) were talking about characteristics we wanted in our future husband. Loving Jesus was a given, so my next criteria, why he has to love America as much as I do (yes I was and am completely serious)

- I sang the National Anthem A LOT in high school...soccer, lacrosse, basketball, baseball, track...all that. I was the girl who sang the National Anthem. some of my friends would sing the National Anthem when I walked in.

Now to WHY I love America.

For the longest time, I always thought that I just loved America and the military and all things dealing with patriotism. I mean, we are SO blessed to be living in this country, how can you not love it?! But then I really started thinking...what began this love?

I think back to 9/11...I remember that day like it was yesterday. I was in 7th grade and remember the moment I heard that the Pentagon was hit by a plane. My dad at the time worked at the Pentagon. Shock and fear is what I remember feeling before finding out that my dad was ok. The days after 9/11, I remember how everyone came together. We were one. I think that is when my love for America really boomed (if that makes sense). Just seeing friends and family love regardless of anything really brings a smile on my face.

But I think the deepest root to my love is my dad! I am a daddy's girl and will always be proud of my dad. He served in the Air Force for 20 years and I love how he put time into serving our country to keep our freedom. We are SO blessed here in America and I thank each and every person in the armed forces for it!

Anyways, people may make fun of me for my America love (it is hilar when I just shout I love America), but I thought it appropriate to explain the why behind the craziness.

God has blessed us with an incredible country filled with freedom.

So on this 4th, take a moment to just count your blessings. And while you are wearing that red white and blue and lighting off fireworks, remember why we are STILL here, living freely.

baptism CELEBRATION

last night my church in Nashville had a baptism celebration. and celebration it WAS!!! Over 150 people got baptized, including an 83 year old woman!!! The entire night I couldn't help but smile in awestruck wonder at how incredible our God is! Now Fellowship (my church) has had baptisms before, but they decided to have one service this weekend specifically for the purpose of baptizing believers. I think that everyone was amazed at how the Spirit moved person after person to make this public proclamation!

I feel without words, because it truly was an experience in itself. So here's a link to the video, and a picture :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxgWQA-P33g

summer!

who hasn't blogged in a while?! MEMEMEME!

I'm back. well for a few weeks at least before I head to kamp (yes, that is kamp spelled with a 'k'). I'm hoping to blog once a week while at kamp on my 2-4 time off to update with how the Lord is working in and through my life...so stay tuned!!

In the meantime. It is summer! And I am doing not a whole lot. I had 3 weddings in 2 weekends, so that was pretty crazy, but now it's relax time and prepare for kamp in a few weeks!

Today's agenda: go running (check)

read my Bible (check)

journal (check)

hang out with some high schoolers

call a friend I haven't talked to in a while

finish writing a song

I think this is a feasible agenda for the day. I'll let ya know if I accomplish the last 3! I'm sure surprises will occur throughout the day, but that's why I love summer!

outside looking in

so yesterday while on my little run, I started thinking about being rescued and how we are all in need of rescue (that was the talk at church on Sunday). Anyways it got me thinking. we need rescue not because we are perfect, but because we are broken, bruised, dented, scratched, and all sorts of mess. It made me think of my car. I have a 2001 honda civic that has...well let's just say character :) there are scratches, and what gives it the most character is the huge dent on the side (i may have driven into something...). Before last week, the inside of my car was quite a mess and dirty-I had never gotten the interior clean since I purchased the car almost 2 years ago...needless to say it was in dyer need of a detailing job. I'll be honest, I would be embarrassed for friends to get into my car because I knew it was dirty and I didn't want the imperfection. While the inside of my car may be clean now, the dent and scratches on my car still remain. And remain they will (unless I want to spend hundreds of dollars to fix it), but I am no longer embarrassed to let people in the car or to see it.

So now back to life. So often, we as humans and especially Christians don't want people to see the inside of us...the imperfections...the dents, the bruises, but they are there! Christ encourages us to boast in these weaknesses, because it is through the weakness that we are made strong in Him. I know for me, I don't want people to see the deepest insides of me, afraid of what they might think. But in reality, we all are broken and in need of rescue. We all have those struggles and those bumps. It is through these that the Lord can truly move and work in our life. We shouldn't appear to be perfect, because we aren't! While it may be hard, sharing with those you trust your heart can bring about deeper relationship and a picture of what it means to be the body of Christ.

why detox?

So starting this past monday, my roommates and I have started a raw detox. What does this consist of, you ask? Well simple. Basically it is cutting out all processed foods, caffeine, dairy, and meats. If you have heard of the Daniel diet, it is very similar to that. The hardest thing for me is cutting out coffee. boy do I loveeee coffee! here is a pic of our colorful fridge!

When I have mentioned this detox to people, they typically respond with, "why are you doing a detox diet? You don't need to lose weight". Correct, I don't need to lose weight, so that is not the reason I am doing this. I did this detox back in January and felt great after it, but since then I have obviously consumed so much stuff that isn't the best for my body...including caffeine. I really want to detox my body of all the crap that I have put in it. So what do we eat with the detox? Smoothies, Juices (a juicer is soo cool), vegetabl

es, salads, nuts (like almonds), quinoa, beans, and fruits.

here are a few of the recipes we have discovered:

the first is a Kale Smoothie:

1 banana

1 orange

a little almond milk

handful of kale

strawberries

another version could be this too:

1 banana

1 orange

handful of kale

some cantelope

1 apple

a little water

The perfect juice blend:

3 carrot sticks

1 celery

1 pear

1 apple

-it is DELISH!

and lastly, my favorite quinoa recipe:

cooked quinoa

chopped up red, yellow, orange peppers

chopped cilantro

chopped green onions (about 2 stalks of it)

(optional) mango

you mix all that together with the 'sauce'

2 squirts of honey

a little dab of olive oil

a few squirts of lime juice

sprinkled sea salt

put that all together and you have a yummy meal! put it on top of arugula if you want too.

Anyways, we are on day 3 of our detox and I'm feeling pretty good. i get a headache in the afternoon, but that is mixed with allergies and lack of caffeine. But my body feels great!

and here's a picture of our colorful fridge!

no agenda!

this is the first time in probably 2 years where I have absolutely no agenda. no school, no work, nothing. and while i could easily look at that and be upset because i really have nothing to do, i am choosing to embrace it. i feel this sense of freedom and i'm loving doing whatever! when i have told some of my friends (who are in the workforce), they advise me to love this time. so that is what i am doing. loving my life and embracing each moment of relaxing.

so what do i do with no agenda?

well the past few days i have worked at a flower shop (delivering mother's day flowers!), laid out at my dear friend's pool, tie-dyed t-shirts (for kamp!), played this awesome game Ambassador (basically speed charades), gone for walks, watch friday night lights, baked. just lots of fun things to do here and there.

Life is too short to be anything but happy and joyful. So joyful I am, and loving life it will be! I'm just so grateful that the Lord has blessed me with this time, and with incredible friends that I can be myself around and enjoy life with as well. :)

new chapter

I need to get back to blogging! Life has been crazy...and I'm finally wrapping up the semester (YAY!). In fact this past weekend I randomly ran another half marathon! crazzzzzy! But it was soo fun.

We've had girls staying at our house for the past few nights, and it really has been so much fun. For the first time in a while, I really feel like myself (crazy and energetic, yes, but truly myself). It is so easy for me to subdue who I really am because I am worried about how people will perceive me...but I shouldn't be! Christ has made me WHO I AM, and he has given me a joy for a reason. Sometimes, it may be a bit to handle...and I understand (especially when you give me caffeine), but I am not going to change who the Lord has made me to be because I am afraid of what people will think.

(my beautiful roomies above)

The Lord has blessed me INCREDIBLY with my living situation right now and I am so thankful for the 2 that I live with. God has known exactly what I have needed and has placed me just where that is.

So anyways...these next few weeks will be a time of loving life. No job, no school, no agenda! A new chapter in life :)

one thousand gifts

I recently took a girl's trip to Cancun, Mexico with my mom, sister-in-law and close family friend (kathy!). let me just say it was such an incredible trip. mainly because all we did wasrelax and bask in the beauty of God's creation. We would wake up and look out our balcony and there would be the sunrise coming up over the ocean. Out on our balcony, Kristyn would give us our daily verse or passage and we would sit and do our devotions. Then the rest of the day was spent out on the beach. It definitely was the life!(view from our villa!)

One thing that Kathy inspired me to start was a list of one thousand gifts. And so that is what I have started. I know it is going to take a while to reach 1,000 but I'm already enjoying this new perspective in a sense. In the past few days it has shifted my focus. I have caught myself starting to complain or wish something was different, then I switch to something that I am thankful for in that situation or how God has brought me to this point.

For example, already being home I wish I was back in Cancun because of how relaxed and carefree I was...but what a gift and blessing it was for me to actually go on that trip!

Back to reality and back to life, but praising Him through it all :)