african zebras and oliver street...

Hello all... this post will be brief, yet monumental. the first order of business i must attend to is that i want to welcome my friends in 247 back from changing the world in africa.. i've heard that there were something like 7,000 salvations won for the kingdom on that trip via the world changing 247missions teams... and all i can say about that is w.o.w... its amazing what can be done in one month through willing laborers... all that hard work in preparation more than paid off... so blessing and honor and glory to the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY... precious lives in africa have been forever changed in the name of Jesus :) and it is so good to have all of you back home.. you were dearly missed..

now, another important order of business.. i want to introduce to you the wood carved zebra that audra brought back for me from Africa.. i have been wanting a wood-carved african zebra ever since my sister brought me home a wood-carved african giraffe last summer.. (idk why the giraffe made me want a zebra..) anyway now i have one! thankyou SO MUCH audra.. i love him so much i gave him a pearl necklace.. still trying to decide what to name him..  hmm... 

And last, but MOST CERTAINLY not least... the picture below features the house i will be moving into with my two good friends katy and erika... in (count them) 2 WEEKS!!! I am so excited i can hardly stand it.. i have ALWAYS wanted to live in a cute little old house just like this one (it was built in 1937!).. and now i'm going to.. and it's my very first house! (i'm moving out of my parent's house for the first time aside from campus housing at UCA.. they'll be empty nesters so if you see them give them a big hug and tell them it's going to be okay)..  basically what i'm saying is... we have a front porch swing (perfect for rainy days) and a back deck (complete with a fire-pit hand crafted by our landlord cory cangelosi) and not one, but 2 tire swings... a plum tree, and blackberries that grow along the back fence... what does all this mean??? it means the most perfect summer ever.. come over whenever you want.. we will invite you in for a big glass of sweet tea.. and the kitchen is perfect for dancing :)

our little house on Oliver street... home sweet home :)

Joseph and Effie...

I went for my usual run today in the grave yard across the highway from where my parents live.. and before you think i'm weird and creepy, i'll say that running in a cemetary is not as strange as it sounds.. it's actually a beautiful place if you can get past the fact that there are hundreds of deceased people resting in peace just beneath the surface of the ground... and since that obviosly doesn't bother me.. i run there often. i love all the old trees and the colors of the flowers that paint the field of gravestones and all the white statues of angels.. there are cows grazing the grasses of the field just over the barbed wire fence on the other side of the cemetary.. and there is a little old white church across the highway from the graveyard that has probably been there for at least a hundred years.. it really is a lovely place.. i like running there.. plus i like the fact that i know one time around is a half mile so it's easy to keep up with how much i've run...

today when i finished up my last mile, i decided to take a look at some of the graves near the front of the cemetary.. because the ones near the front are the oldest.. and i came across the joint grave stone of Joesph and Effie McNutt.. the center of the old grey stone read "together forever".. and i thought to myself.. what a beautiful idea.. this couple was buried together here beneath this old oak tree.." Then I looked closer at the dates listed on the stone.. He was born in 1872 and he died in 1933... and she was born in 1873 and died in 1976.. so she lived without him for 40 something years.. and that is such a long time to be without the man you married... and the thought of that made me sad.. I wondered what her life must have been like after he was gone.. and the challenges she must have faced.. Effie endured 40 years as a widow until she herself passed as well and was laid to rest next to her joseph beneath the oak tree...

i know this post has been sappy and sentimental.. but seeing that gravestone caught my heart off guard.. i think the reason i think this is so sad is because one of my very favorite things to see is elderly couples who still love each other after all the years gone by... you've seen them.. they're the ones holding hands in wal-mart.. and the ones who sit really close to each other on the park bench at the walking trail.. they have lived their lives together and grown old together side by side.. it's beautiful.. so i really dislike the idea of someone having to grow old alone..  but still, it was a sight to behold, seeing their names together on the stone... Joseph and Effie.. beneath the script "together forever" 

shel silverstein....

when i was a little girl i would sit for hours and throw my head back laughing at shel silverstein poems... i love them still... i think it's because they are so reflective of the magic inside of a child's imagination... so today i've been reading some of my favorites online... i'll share :)

“If you are a dreamer, come in. If you are a dreamer, a wisher, a liar, a hoper, a prayer, a magic-bean-buyer. If you're a pretender, come sit by my fire, for we have some flax-golden tales to spin. Come in! Come in!”

“Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me... Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.”

Where The Sidewalk Ends...

There is a place where the sidewalk ends
And before the street begins,
And there the grass grows soft and white,
And there the sun burns crimson bright,
And there the moon-bird rests from his flight
To cool in the peppermint wind.

Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black
And the dark street winds and bends.
Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow
We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And watch where the chalk-white arrows go
To the place where the sidewalk ends.

Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,
For the children, they mark, and the children, they know
The place where the sidewalk ends.

some good advice from paul..

"If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care --then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand...

Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night..."

Philippians 2:1-4, 14

surprise...

My mom just walked into my room with these little puppies.. that's right. they're push-up bars.. she picked them up at the store today..  watch out world.. i'm about to be SO FINE.. 

just call me predictable patty..

that's right.. i filled this thing out... even though i had good intentions of NOT filling it out because my girl cec said i would... not to mention it's a mile long.. o well.. 

Callie-ology

What is your salad dressing of choice?

rasberry vinaigrette or balsamic vinaigrette... and if those aren't available.. i go for whichever one has the least calories.. who wants a to eat a salad coated with a zillion calories?? not this girl. 

What is your favorite sit-down restaurant?

hmmm... sit-down restaurant? are there 'stand-up' restaurants? my fav would probably be any seafood restaurant located on the beach... i'll have the grilled tilapia with a side of steamed veggies..  and i'll be wearing a sundress.. and after i want to go for icecream... :)

What food could you eat every day for two weeks and not get sick of?

i eat special K with yogurt and berries every morning... and it never gets old... unless there is no vanilla soy milk in the fridge.. in which case that stuff tastes like shredded cardboard... 

What are your pizza toppings of choice.

some combination of vegetables usually... or spinach and chicken.  

TECHNOLOGY

How many televisions are in your house?

hmm.. let me count them 1,2,3,4... there are 4. but ask me how many of them i watch... that would be a big z.e.r.o. unless you count american idol (go kris allen!)... but  i usually watch that with a bunch of my friends in town.. (did i mention that i live out of town.. i do)

What color cell phone do you have?

pink... 

BIOLOGY

Are you right-handed or left-handed?

right.. 

Have you ever had anything removed from your body?

about a quarter-inch of the bone from my right forearm... it's a long story, but i have a killer scar from the whole ordeal... 

What is the last heavy item you lifted?

two enormous decorative vases.. we used them to decorate for an event in the NLC foyer... i carried them back to their home in the hallway.. (they probably aren't heavy to normal people, but i am a bit of a weakling when it comes to lifting things..)

Have you ever been knocked unconscious?

no but i passed out once when i gave blood... don't ever give blood, people.. it ruins your life.. unless of course you have one of those rare blood types and you're the only person on the planet that can save a dying child's life.. in which case.. why are you sitting here reading blogs?  get your butt to the hospital and give blood... but eat a cookie first.. or you will pass out cold.. which is embarrassing.. take my word.. 

BULLCRAPOLOGY

If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die?

my initial reaction is no... but have you ever seen the movie big fish?? it makes a great point.. if you know the day you're going to die.. you can take part in as many reckless activities as you want between now and then, and know you will live through them all.. right up until that fateful day.. like smuggling bibles into the most dangerous, Godless parts of the world and such... 

If you could change your name what would you change it to?

hmm.. well, i definitely would never change my first or middle name.. i love the name callie alise.. and since my last name will be changing at some point.. i don't have any specifications other than that it must be an upgrade from my current last name.. i rather like being a Bezet.. so  hopefully my new name will be just as wonderful.. and i'm sure it will be.. 

Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000?

one thousand dollars?  absolutely.. hot sauce comes in small bottles.. and i'm super tough. 

DUMBOLOGY

How many pairs of flip flops do you own?

one zillion x's π ... i really need to get rid of a lot of them... anybody need some flip flops?

Last time you had a run in with the cops?

a run in? i saw some cops at the gas station the other night?

Last person you talked to?

Chros O, Josh Hoover, Mel Amrine... i don't remember who was last...  

Last person you hugged?

My dad.. he gets a hug everyday before i leave for work :)

FAVORITOLOGY

Season?

Usually whatever season is taking place at the time...  but ultimately it is SPRING.. because of all the flowers and it just feels like a new beginning...summer is great too because i am obsessed with the beach and laying out.. and fall is probably the most beautiful idea God ever had...  really i like all the seasons that allow me to be outside without freezing to death... so i will take this opportunity to say that winter ruins my life every year starting January 2.. (i love cold weather during the holidays.. but the day they're over.. it's time for spring.. but i think i'd LOVE winter if i lived in colorodo) 

Holiday?

arbor day.. i love trees :)  okay, really it's christmas.. but that's not very original is it.. i also love halloween, don't judge me. 

Day of the week?

FRIDAY!! 

Month?

hmmm... i do have a favorite month.  it's april. 

CURRENTOLOGY

Missing someone?

Lydia.. and all my world-changing friends in 247.. 

Mood?

sleepy.. but i'm about to fix that with a run.. i do love endorphins.. 

What are you listening to?

hillsong... go figure. 

Watching?

nothing.... but i have good intentions of watching pride and prejudice tonight :) my mother rented it last week and i want to watch it before it goes back... 

Worrying about?

"who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?"

DEPENDS-OLOGY

Do you always answer your phone?

i've gotten better... but no.. usually never.

It's four in the morning and you get a text message. Who is it?

nobody in their right mind...  text at 4am if you want to encounter the worst possible version of callie bezet... 

If you could change your eye color what would it be?

well.. my eyes change colors on their own... from green to hazel.. and sometimes they look brown.. so the answer to this one is that i wouldn't... because i would look crazy with blue eyes and all the other colors are already available to me.. 

What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic?

nothing... i want sweet tea... carbonated drinks will kill you slowly.. unless you are at a movie.. then you can get a diet coke and you will be fine. 

Do you own a digital camera?

yes. but it goes through batteries like they're goin outta style.. so everytime i go to use it.. the batteries are dead... it's sad really... so many uncaptured memories.. *sigh*

Have you ever had a pet fish?

um.. not of my very own... i don't want one.. you can't hold a fish... might as well have a plant. 

What's on  your birthday wish list?

umm... i don't really have a b-day wish list.. but if we can pretend for a minute.. i really need a new ipod.. i have a nano from 3 years ago and it only fits 1000 songs.. which stinks.. ipod nanos are for the birds... 

Does the future make you more nervous or excited?

excited! the best is yet to come!

Do you have any saved texts?

no.. out with the old.. in with the new :)

Ever been in a car wreck?

a couple of fender benders... but nothing serious praise God.. 

Do you have an accent?

well.. i don't usually think so.. not until i listen to a recording of myself speaking.. and then the answer is YES.. bad. but when i travel i usually get asked if i'm from texas.. the answer is no. i've been to texas like twice.  I'm an arkansas girl.. born and raised... 

What is the last song to make you cry?

i haven't cried because of a song recently... 

Plans tonight?

yes.. i have a list (apparently i'm a list maker):

go for a run (it's a beautiful day)

spend time with my Jesus (yes, i put that on my list even tho it's a given)

clean the bathroom... maybe even some laundry...  

maybe coffee break to see some friends..

Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom?

hmm... yeah i think so.. it was right before the Lord healed my life... i'll never forget what life was like before grace and freedom... 

Name 3 things you bought yesterday?

umm.. i split a pizza with becca.. that count? i get paid in 2 weeks... praise the LORD.. 

Have you ever been given roses?

yes but i'd rather get daffodils or tulips... or daisies.. or a bouquet of sharpened pencils :) 

Current hate right now?

on a more serious note... i hate seeing perfectly beautiful daughters of God struggle with insecurity and self doubt.. drives me nuts. 

Met someone who changed your life?

of course.. especially recently.. 

What song represents you?

hmmm...... 

Name three people who might complete this:

i don't think anyone else will... the people prone to do this kind of thing have already done it :)

Would you go back in time if given a chance?

i like this question... the answer is yes... on one condition.. i would want to be able to keep all the wisdom i've gained thus far in life... and then i'd probably do it all again... but if i had to go back and do it all again without knowing what i know now.. the answer would be no. 

Have you ever dated someone longer than a year?

yes.. 

Will you be in a relationship 4 months from now?

all signs point to.... i have no idea... 

Would you be a pirate?

would i be one? YES... i already am one.. but not the kind that sails the 7 seas with an eyepatch and a peg leg... i'm what you might call a pirate of music... music piracy isn't stealing.. it's sharing .. and sharing is caring :)

What songs do you sing in the shower?

haha.. everything.. i do my best singing in the shower.. albeit embarrassingly loud... as my family likes to inform me when i get out...  i sing whatever is stuck in my head... there's ALWAYS a song stuck in my head.. most recent shower song: 'day is dimming' by Brooke Fraser. 

Ever had someone sing to you?

dear future husband somewhere out there... this question is dedicated to you.. 

When did you last cry?

umm.. i don't usually cry often..  but last night i got teary eyed at something that is happening currently in Aurora's life... also, last week  i cried at the movie 'he's just not that in to you..' i must have been having a super emotional day that day.. or something. 

Do you like to cuddle?

yes... but i think this is a dumb question.. 

Have you held hands with anyone today?

um. no.

Who was the last person you took a picture of?

ummm.... probably myself.. i was playing with photo booth on my mac.. that never gets old to me.. i still laugh at every crazy-looking picture... everytime. 

What kind of music did you listen to in Elementary school?

things like phil collins, wilson phillips, garth brooks, whitney houstin, brooks&dunn, hanson, mariah carey, boyz II men, etc... i was awesome. 

Do you believe in staying close with your ex's?

umm... i never have.. and i don't think it's a good idea.. not fair to your future husby or wifey... 

Are most of the friends in your life new or old?

most of my closest friends i've come to know over the past 4 years... is that new or old? 

Do you like pulpy orange juice?

ew... no way jose... 

What is something your friends make fun of you for?

hmm..... my friends don't really make fun of me... maybe my lame dance moves?

What is something you're saving your money up for right now?

i need new speakers in my car.. mine are busted.. i also need new running shoes... mine are almost shot. 

When is the last time you ate peanut butter and jelly?

iiii... don't remember. but i had a banana w/ peanut butter about 30 minutes ago. 

What were you doing at 12 am last night?

reading... no.. maybe playing my piano... idk which it was but i did both before i went to sleep at around 1:30

What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up?

i don't remember... yes i do.. i'm just not going to tell you (i'm so mysterious).. 

sing and play...

i grew up to the sound of a my dad's low voice humming a melody just over the quiet music of his old spanish acoustic guitar.. one of the most soothing sounds imaginable.. i love to hear my dad sing and play... he sings like an angel and taught himself how to play.. but my dad's not one of those guys that gets out his guitar in large groups of people so everybody can hear him be talented.. he's more prone to play when he thinks nobody's listening.. 

i can remember sitting in my dad's lap when i was probably about 4 years old and having him pick out various songs on the guitar at my request so i could sing along while he played.. you know.. classics like mary had a little lamb and ring around the rosie... and my dad would just play and sing with me.. i wish i had it on video... it's one of my favorite memories.. 

and when i was about the age of 5 until i was.. maybe 10? my dad was in a band.. i actually have a lot of childhood memories sitting at  tables with my mom and sister in a bars sipping on shirley temples with cherries in the bottom (no alcohol.. duh) and clapping for my daddy after every song.. his band was called 'the hole in the wall gang'.. i still don't know what that name means.. anyway, it was my dad and two of his friends steve and joebob.. they sang a bunch of old songs.. the other two guys usually sang lead while my dad sang low harmony.. but my dad always sang brown eyed girl. and it was my song because back then i had brown eyes (i think they're hazel now.. but my driver's license says green.. hm.)... and every time they played that song i felt like a princess because they were playing it for me :) also.. my dad played base.. i always thought that the base was really cool because it looked cooler on stage than the acoustic guitars the other two guys were playing... it was red.. and more hardcore :) as far as i was concerned my dad was a rockstar.. haha... anyway.. i digress.. my dad is musical and i love it.. 

right now i live at home with my parents.. (im thinking of moving out into a little house in downtown conway with my old roommate katy pretty soon.. which i am VERY excited about.. stay tuned for more details in that arena) but living at home definitely has its perks.. one being free groceries and no rent... another being that at any given time of day.. my dad can be heard throughout the house singing and playing his guitar.. the mellow background music of my life :) one time he was alone in the living room and i don't think he knew i was listening from around the corner.. i heard him playing and singing the song "you make me feel like a natural woman" by the great Aretha Franklin.. haha.. cutest thing ever!  anyway.. hearing my dad sing makes me smile.. it's something i'll always love about him..