Author: Trish

#menaremorethan | DR.KREIDER

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Screen Shot 2016-06-06 at 12.50.25 PMThe first man I want to celebrate in this #menaremorethan series is the guy I bring up in conversation at least twice a week as, “my favorite professor from seminary.”  He would probably be half horrified/half proud to know just how completely he shaped my theology and the way I interact with the world, but he will just have to deal with those conflicting emotions.

Dr. Kreider taught theology classes at DTS, and at a roommate’s strong suggestion (shout out to Jessica, who deserves to star in #womenaremorethan someday!), I took his introductory course, and then…every other class that he taught.  The first day he said something profound that I still repeat (literally just shared this with my roommate a week ago and some friends a few days ago):

“When I came to seminary, I had a list of 300 theological truths that I would fight and die for.  When I left, I had just three:  God is triune, the Bible is inerrent, and Jesus saves us through his life, death, and resurrection.  I have opinions about everything else, but I will no longer die for them, and more importantly, I will not break up the body of Christ for them.”

The man is clearly a good professor, but he’s also a good…friend?  I don’t know what term to use, but I do know that after a particularly personal topic, I went to his office and accidentally burst into tears.  Another time he asked about my love life, then sighed and admitted, “I don’t think you’re going to find someone at seminary.  There are too many strong, opinionated, smart women, and not enough men who deserve them.”  I cannot emphasize how encouraging it was to hear this seemingly discouraging opinion.  Yet another time, we talked passionately about our favorite characters on Scandal and why couldn’t Olivia, who is so strong in every other way, get over her unhealthy obsession with the emotional abusive president!?

Even though I can no longer drop by his office or ask if we can grab coffee, I still get to stalk Dr. Kreider on Facebook.  (Fun fact, the first time we interacted online was when I wrote a status that said: “After my sex therapy class, I cannot watch sex scenes in movies without pointing out how unrealistic they are,” and he responded, “You must be fun to watch movies with,” thus solidifying my intense admiration for the man.)  I so admire his ability to bring up controversial topics online, to state his opinions with logic and emotion, and to let people disagree with him.  I try to emulate both his grace and his resolve in my own online writings, though I have far to go when engaging in productive conversations with people who believe differently from me.

For being himself, for publicly admitting his doubts and insecurities, for welcoming me into his office, for getting to know me, and for teaching me to think deeply about truth, Dr. Kreider is definitely #morethan.

She Stood in Front of a Room

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13226690_857414189742_3629267896197706555_nby Mallory Huber

She stood in front of a room of mostly familiar faces as she explained to them the journey that God has brought her on in a single month. “Fairy tales are real, not in that they show you the existence of dragons but in that they show you your dragons can be defeated.” Her words echo in my soul even 9 days later as I try to encapsulate a trip of experience and beauty into sufficient words. The picture of her fruit tree resonates in my heart as I attempt to explain the depth of what she has learned and how much deeper she can and will go.

She stood in front of a room with her art project, a tree with a trunk of blue and top of pink. Each fruit different but meaningful. A lemon, hanging next to the strawberry, representing “Light” as this past month she has learned that to bring her fears into the light and to understand them is a good thing because everyone has fears and to know them is a part of the healing process. Pumpkins next to cherries, and apples next to watermelons, each exemplifying her healing process.

She stood in front of a room as an act of defiance against her past and that which tries to keep her bound. She stood there as an act of redemption. The first girl to enter the program, known as “A.” Perhaps more than just because her name starts with an “A.” Perhaps because she is first, but more will come after her. She is alpha pointing to the true Alpha and Omega, who has and will truly bring redemption to her.

She stood in front of a room at HD, and she let me partake in the beginnings of a new ritual for them. A ritual that time does not get to control. Yes, it was this celebration of a graduation of one month down, but time will not dictate when the journey is ended. Healing and redemption and the great Author of the Faith will dictate this.

She stood in front of a room as a symbol of the journey. She stood as a symbol that seemingly began with 7 years of prayer. This journey started many years ago with a vision and prayer, and she stands as fruition of that. No, time does not get to dictate. He is only a supporting character in this story. Each lady who walks through that door will be there because it is a part of her story of healing, stories written by One who perfects and orders time itself. She stood in front of a room, and all I could do was be in awe.

Mallory is a dear friend, and I’m so grateful she visited, sharing both her silliness and her wisdom.  Referenced here was her participation in HD’s first Celebration Week.

Sunday Summary #30: What’s on the Internet

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1|  Emily Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda will co-star in a Mary Poppins sequel!  It’s not quite (at all) a Hamilton movie, but I’ll take it!

2|  The Internet drew my attention back to this truly phenomenal interview with Chris Evans in 2011.  I can only DREAM of someday so completely and inappropriately doing my “job” of interacting with and becoming flustered by America’s Sweetheart.

But in the days since my first interview with Chris Evans, I’d drunk myself under the table, snuck out of his house at five thirty in the morning, bummed a ride home off a transsexual, been teased mercilessly in front of his mother, and now—this bit in the paper.

I don’t remember touching his chest, which is too bad.

(It was around then that we were spotted by the gossip reporter that I didn’t know was a gossip reporter, or else I wouldn’t have explained to him on the way back from the bathroom that Chris was “soo flirty” and that I had “the biggest crush on him.” Haha. Oops!)

 There will never be an interview as glorious as this.

A Week in Greece #21: NEW ROOMMATE, NEW SOCIAL LIFE, OLD INTROVERSION

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Monday

Natasha moved in!  Technically she moved in Sunday, but I’ll talk about it all here.  It’s so nice to have a roommate, especially one who speaks English as their native language.  On Sunday night we talked and talked, and I showed her around the neighborhood.  On Monday I left work for a while to take her to the laiki – street market – that we have in the area every week.  She would whisper to me, “Listen to what they say,” when the sellers gave the price, and it was super weird to be in a position of knowledge.  Sometimes knowledge.  Good enough knowledge!

Anthi took me to Jumbo after work (the Greek version of Walmart), and I bought a bunch of kitten supplies!!  Kendra texted me that she petted my little stray kitten, so hopefully within a week or so, it will be person-friendly enough to be caught.  I’ve been reading up on how to domesticate a wild kitten, and I’m super excited.  Also nervous, because he or she is a little beat up, BUT.  My theology of animals demands that I give love where it is needed, not where it is convenient.  I’ve been brainstorming names.  I cannot wait to have a little bundle of fur in my home again!

Tuesday

Tuesday was stressful!  I got up early to finish some work before work actually began, because I spent the day going back and forth to my house as minor construction projects got finished.  The day got considerably less stressful when some Texan college boys came to HD, and I commandeered them into helping me move a bed and construct a garment rack for Natasha.

I love boys!  I love American boys!  I love their dumb need to impress, to tease each other for their mistakes, to laugh at my jokes.  I love when they smile up at me before intentionally making a mistake, and I love bonding over things we miss in America.

Flirting.  That’s what I mean.  I love flirting.  Continue reading →

Should Christians Cuss?

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Growing up as a conservative Christian, I knew that one of the most important things a Christian can do is…to not say curse words.  After all, the Bible says:

But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. (Colossians 3:8)

and

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. (Ephesians 4:29)

and Jesus even said

And he called the people to him and said to them, “Hear and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.” (Matthew 15:10-11)

As if that weren’t enough, there was also the ever-looming fear of “not being a good witness,” which basically meant that if someone who was not a Christian saw a Christian doing something bad, the probability of them ever loving Jesus dramatically decreased.

And okay.  I can appreciate the dedication to detail that my conservative Christian upbringing inspired.  God knows I have taken that intense introspection and run with it.  (“God knows,” there’s another piece of the puzzle, to be dissected at the end of this post.)*  But I decidedly disagree with what I was taught as a kid.

A Brief Self-History  Continue reading →

Letters Between Friends: SPEAKING FREELY

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LettersBtwnFriends

Dear Tricia,

This is so surreal.  I have NO secrets.  I can blog freely (when I find/make the time time!) AND I am a SMALL BUSINESS OWNER!

HOLY CRAP!  *There is slight panic, giddy-ness and HALLELUJAH in that exclamation. *

I am mainly working on learning the ropes/the different feeds/the people.  There is also a slight film of dust on everything (you can imagine what I acquire from the feed and seed and dirty farm boots).  So I sweep and clean and mop to de-stress.

Oh BOOTS!  Nathan bought be a pair of boots to make me more legit.  I think it worked.  Did you see my picture…I feel FARM-y.

12871491_10102003181385617_2080842196443976153_n

I didn’t really realize how heavy keeping things in was until yesterday.  Yesterday, I could talk about anything and everything.  I’m officially OFFICALLY done at the school and I stood in the feed store and the (AMAZING) previous store owners introduced Nathan and I to everyone that walked in as the new store owners.  We may be living on Ramen and pancakes for a couple months, but I am floating with peace and joy and excited anticipation.

I’m trying to stay as up to date as possible on your page.  But of course, I would much rather be there.  I saw on my phone the other night that is was 39 degrees?!?  We are now in the ROASTING stage here in P-town!  Your pictures with Mallory make me coo out loud.  Nathan laughs at me.

I apologize I don’t have much else to communicate.  I’ve forgotten what it was like to blog so FREELY!  I miss you friend.  Praying for you daily.  Do I have a punishment that I am unknowingly yet purposefully forgetting?  Just checking.

Love, Lindsay

Let’s Talk About…Captain America

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If you don’t know what The Toast is, too late, it’s about to shut down.  But never fear, Elizabeth and I are here to fulfill the internet’s need for besties shouting at each other via online chat platforms.

Tricia:  GASP that reminds me did you watch Captain America Civil War?

Elizabeth: does it have Loki in it?

Tricia:  No, but there’s a part where Captain America (wearing a tight grey t-shirt) holds onto a helicopter and a building, and HIS ARMS THO.  I blushed and had to cover my face in the theater.

Elizabeth:  ❤

Tricia:  I have never been more interested in the gun show.

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Elizabeth:  wow
like
I’m not generally into the muscular types, but wow
WOW   Continue reading →

#womenaremorethan | LIBBY

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Screen Shot 2016-05-24 at 4.17.48 PMI want to talk about Libby. She was one of my best friends in Dallas, and she constantly amazed me with how intentionally she addressed problems whenever she saw them, whether that was dealing with her past, befriending and caring for her neighbors, or making sure our connection group was loved and unified. She’s crazy smart, and she can see to the heart of a problem before anyone else. She is one of the most hospitable people I know, and I felt so loved every time she let me borrow pajama pants and hang out with her family. I will always cherish the time she told me, “Sounds like you’re trying to earn a gift” and with a single sentence taught me what grace is all about.

She is strong like no one’s business.  While pregnant with her third child, her house burned down, and she and her family had to relocate and start over.  She did this without going insane, which is just about the most impressive thing in the universe.

On top of all that, she is an amazing mother AND a successful entrepreneur. She has two adorable boys and a new baby girl! She started a business all on her own reselling used high-end clothes, purses, and jewelry. She’s a creative businesswoman, a fantastic photographer, and a wonderful friend.

She is definitely #morethan, and I’m so grateful I got to spend three years with her.

Share your own stories about amazing women in your life with the hashtag #womenaremorethan!

Unblocking My Creativity

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I’ve been hearing a lot of podcast people talking about “being yourself” and how if you want to be creative, don’t worry about doing something New and Exciting.  Just be whoever you are, and people will see that and relate and love it (or not).

WHICH IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR ME.  Whenever I write a blog post, I think:

  1. Will people think this is funny?
  2. Will people think this is deep?
  3. Will people think I’m a selfish asshole?
  4. Will people judge me for using the word asshole?
  5. Will people think my graphic design attempts are childish?
  6. Will people unsubscribe?
  7. Will someone comment?
  8. Will someone stop supporting my work in Greece financially because I say something they find unChristian or wrong?

And let me tell you, those thoughts running through my head are a TERROR.   Continue reading →

A Week in Greece #20: Privileged Americans, HD Breakthrough, Busy Weekend

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Twenty weeks in Greece!  Wow!  That sounds properly impressive.

As far as weeks in Greece go, though, it was a pretty slow one!  Monday was Mallory’s last day here.  She went exploring on her own during the day while I worked, and then we headed downtown for her last Greek meal.  I googled “best places to eat in Athens” and settled on a place called GH Attikos because it said it had a rooftop restaurant.  We left straight after work at 4:00 and got there around 4:30 for a late lunch.  When we arrived, only one other table was full, and the hostess approached.

“What do you want?” she asked.

Confused by the seemingly obvious reply, I said, “…We want to eat.”

“Will you be done before 8?” she asked.

I glanced at my phone.  “Uh, yeah.”

She escorted us to our seat, which had a STUNNING view of the Acropolis.  While we were ooo-ing and ahh-ing, we heard noises that sounded like the kitchen starting up.  We took a closer look at the space around us.  None of the tables had plates or napkins or anything. The people sitting at the other table had been done for a long time and were only chatting.

The restaurant wasn’t open.  But we waltzed in with our American privilege and assumptions, and ordered a full meal that they mercifully supplied.  Sometimes it pays to be ignorant!

Mallory left early Tuesday morning, and I spent the rest of the weekdays soaking up some quality time alone (except for my Greek lesson with Maria on Wednesday night).  This was especially necessary because work has been hard.   Continue reading →