Great Conversation with Good Friends, Part Three {emily price}

Sometimes I feel so ridiculous and self-serving for having a blog. Like who wants to read this junk? But if I shut the blog down, I know I would still write. God has allowed writing to be so therapeutic for me. I am grateful that my putting words on paper (or a screen) it's been therapeutic for others, too. After I shared about fertility, I heard from a whole heap of folks who have struggled to have a baby and appreciated that post. So I keep writing. And for once, today's post is not about myself.

Ironically, today's post features a friend of mine who has been a HUGE encouragement to me to keep writing and to keep sharing it. Emily Price and I met through Grace Bible Church when we were assigned to the same growth group (small group that meets weekly for one year.) Emily was engaged to Matt at the time, and now they're expecting a baby! Woo! How time flies! 

I'm not even sure how Emily started reading my blog, but she did, and she sent it to a friend who's dad is also deceased. (Sidenote: deceased is such a cold word. But I try to avoid saying lost because someone once pointed out "lost? like, are they missing? do we not know where they are, or are they dead?" which I think is a valid, humorous point. My dad is not MIA. We know right where he is: Heaven. And also, passed away sounds silly, because where did they pass? Anywho...) Emily has shared the blog with strangers who I've never met - what a compliment. What an encouragement, that maybe my pain or my joys or my questioning of the Lord or my confidence in God's grace can soothe another person that I don't even know... so I keep writing, thanks to friends like Emily. 

Back to the point of this post: "great conversation." I listen to an Austin-based podcast called The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey - during her half-hour episodes she ask various women the same questions. The questions, I think, are so thought provoking without being cheesy or intrusive.

I find myself wanting to ask everyone around me the same questions. So I asked three friends, and they graciously said I could share their answers with the internet. Emily, a Young Life leader at Lamar High School, shares with us today. Even though she is a few years younger than me (who's counting, okay!? I'm thirty and she is ... not.) Emily never fails to make me want to read my bible more, talk less about myself, be a better listener, and definitely be a more thoughtful wife, friend, and daughter. So. enough from me... questions that I stole from Jamie Ivey are below, answers from Emily Hardy Price. Enjoy! And go ask someone you love these questions. 

Boot Scootin ... back in 2015

What's something you can't stop watching, reading, and talking about? 

Can’t stop watching: Currently, “This is Us.” I’m not as emotionally invested in it as I feel like the rest of the world is (which is surprising considering current pregnancy hormones), but I love how real it is. It isn’t a perfect family or even a “typical” family, and it has made me think a lot about my own family and my future family and loving others around me who don't look like, act like, or think like me.

Can’t stop reading: I’ve been on a big historical fiction kick lately. (Nerd alert.) I know virtually nothing about history. It’s embarrassing, and I won’t repeat the questions I have asked Matt lately about the differences between certain wars and what not. But I have loved learning more about what our country is based upon, and what major events have occurred that have brought us to where we are today. It is so fascinating to me how much things have changed and how often I take simple day-to-day things in 2017 for granted.

this is how Matt is always dressed (except at work, of course)

Can’t stop talking about: My mind has been blown lately by the book of Genesis, which we have been studying in our community group. Not going to lie, I wasn’t thrilled about studying Genesis at first. I felt like I already knew all the stories. But it has been so fascinating seeing how corrupt mankind was thousands of years ago… and how God was still faithful and just. And in 2017 we are just as messed up (it only takes one minute of watching the news to see that), and yet God is still 100 percent faithful and in control. I have found so much comfort in Genesis lately. And by studying Scripture like this I am also reminded that I don't know everything, and I could spend all the days of my life studying who God is and still learn something new about Him every day. That is so humbling to me.

I mean...stunner.

What's one way you refresh/recharge?

I am bad at taking the time to refresh and recharge, but in the last year I have rediscovered how much I love to read. Reading is the perfect way for me to recharge, because I am being still and not being productive in any way except for enjoying my book! And I love getting immersed in a good story.  

What makes you a success?

I’ve had the chance to tell a whole lot of teenagers about Jesus over the last 10 years. Some of them are following Him wholeheartedly and some of them have no interest in Him. But knowing so many teenagers and sharing day to day with them and having the chance to tell them that they are fully known and fully loved by God… I’ll count that as success.

Emily surrounded by Lamar HS students

What is your greatest pet peeve? 

Silly pet peeves include:

• When I’ve been sitting on the ramp to get from i10 to 610 for ages and someone slips in at the very last second without having to wait.
• Burning the roof of my mouth or my tongue.
• Dishes left in the sink.
• When I read a text on the go and forget to reply later.

Real pet peeves:

• Complaining, apathy, and laziness. I’m all about choosing joy and gratitude. And making an effort to change the things you want to see change, not just settling.

What's a piece of technology you can't live without?  

The ability to iMessage on my laptop.  It has been a game-changer for me when it comes to communicating with people and sending so many texts to high schoolers.

What's a dream you had for your life that hasn't come true? 

Learning to play the piano. I have always wanted to play, and I often regret quitting my lessons in the seventh grade.

What are characteristics of your friends that make them so special to you? 

I appreciate that my friends are willing to call me out when I am being crazy, speak truth to me, pursue me, ask me questions and really listen to my answers, and encourage me. And they laugh with me even when I am not that funny.

What's the best piece of advice you've ever received? 

Recent advice I received in the last year or so that has been really applicable is “Let God be God.” In ministry and in life I crave control and productivity and my tendency is to think things depend on me. But I am not God, and I don't have to try to be. Rather than stress or over-work myself, I have to remind myself that God is God and He is good and He’s got the whole world in the palm of His hand.

Thanks, Emily! (No one tell EP that I definitely cut people off to get on 6-10. Oops.)

I guess I can include a normal photo of Matt... Emily and Matt with Kelsey and Daniel Earnest - E and M met at their wedding!!!

Great Conversation with Good Friends, Part Two {caitlin g}

How to have great conversations with good friends, part two!
Recently I shared how I've started listening to Jamie Ivey's podcasts called The Happy Hour (I mostly listen to the Happy Half Hour episodes.) Jamie asks these great questions (yet nothing earth shattering) and is able to get people talking in an inspiring way. So I find myself wanting to ask everyone I know these same questions, and today, we hear from Caitlin Gardner. 

james and caitlin g. 

me and caitlin on the brooklyn bridge with some random cute girl

at our friend and fellow DC resident LJ's wedding

I met Caitlin through our sorority at A&M (Go Kappa) and then she moved to DC after graduation and we overlapped almost a year. I moved back to Texas, but Caitlin ended up staying four (or five?) years and became a hot-shot in the government affairs office at Microsoft. She and her husband now live in Houston, and Drew and I will NEVER allow them to live elsewhere. 

Caitlin's husband James has a legit twitter following and is often asked to give interviews about Aggie football with ESPN radio and such, but let's not forget that Caitlin is witty and has something to say, too. So here we go... (and hopefully you'll take these questions to your friends and family for great conversations.) 

What's something you can't stop watching, reading, and talking about? 

​I love reading ​The Broadsheet during the day, it has

 so many off the beaten path articles and at least ONE worth sharing every day​. 

As for talking about, ​I sure do find myself talking a lot about Baby Gardner - names, daycare, registry - so many topics to discuss around a baby! (Caitlin and James are due August 2017, woooohoo!)

What's one way you refresh/recharge? 
Reading. As much as I think of myself as an extrovert and love being around other people, when I'm tired or need to recharge, there's nothing like getting lost in someone else's story! ​

What makes you a success?
Hmmm - probably just showing up and working hard. And being willing to learn and grow which often means taking advice/constructive feedback in stride without getting your feathers ruffled (something I've definitely had to learn in the work place!) 

What is your greatest pet peeve? 

​No doubt something to do with Houston drivers... like when people don't use their blinker.​

What's a piece of technology you can't live without? 

Texting. It's the best way to keep in touch with friends and fam throughout the day! ​

What's a dream you had for your life that hasn't come true? 

​Hmm... that's a tough one. I feel incredibly fortunate to not having anything big stand out, but for a surface answer I'd say living next to water. A non-salt body of water that's used for swimming, boating and general merriment. No cattle ponds, please.​

What are characteristics of your friends that make them so special to you? 

caitlin with our dear friends paige and bonnie

Nothing better than having close friends you can get real with. Life is too short to always say "I'm fine" -- and friends don't want to hear that crap anyway. Also just showing up - my good friends are good at just showing up and that's the best.​

What's the best piece of advice you've ever received? 

This is cheesy but "be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." This is so real to me after seeing my mom go through so much hard health stuff, but she is still always so kind to everyone. If people knew what kind of pain she was in they'd totally understand if she was rude or even mean, but her philosophy is someone else might be in the same pain she's in. It's not always easy but great words to live by. Oh, and the same woman also taught me that if the shoe/top/dress fits - buy it in every color or even two in the same color. This is why I own 2 pairs of my favorite shoes and 2 pairs of the exact same black pants. 

​

​Life is short. ​

she acts like i'm the wild one but...exhibit A. 

cheers!!

great questions for good conversation - inspired by jamie ivey

This next series of posts have been keeping me up at night... wait, nope. Our newborn has been keeping me up at night! But while I'm up, I'm on my phone a lot and finally made time to email these questions to a few friends. (And I should note, Harris is a really great sleeper/baby. Highly recommend the book Babywise for any new or soon to be moms.) 

Last year, on a drive to Tulsa from Houston, I started listening to podcasts, something I rarely do, so that music wouldn't keep Thomas awake while he was supposed to be sleeping. (He and I were headed to see our BFF Renza.) 

Anyways, I cannot even pinpoint how I found her, but someone on IG mentioned Jamie Ivey and her podcast called "The Happy Hour." I started listening to the episodes titled "The Happy Half-Hour" because they're just 30 minutes and the questions are really interesting. 

Jamie asks the same questions of each of her guests on the 30 minute show - all thought provoking questions, some deep, some not so deep - and I immediately found myself wanting to ask all my friends these same questions. Jamie does a great job of really getting to know someone without seeming pushy, cheesy, or intrusive - all things that make me hesitant to ask these kinds of questions in my own life. 

For the next few posts, I've used Jamie's questions -  you can use them in your own life too, with friends over dinner, or on a walk, or maybe even on a phone call with a long-distance friend. Cheers to more meaningful conversations with our friends and our families!

Today's "guest" is Amy Ellwood... a little about Amy: we met at Memorial High (go stangs) and she was incredibly kind to me during my transfer to A&M, and a big reason why A&M was such a happy place for me. She's a CPA, Houston Heights resident, avid book reader, excellent cook, and I dare you to find a more knowledgable Aggie football or Astros fan (male OR female.) So let's do this thing...

Amy and most of our IF:Table monthly group

What's something you can't stop watching, reading, or talking about? 

Watching: We binge watched "Last Chance U" two weeks ago- fascinating look at the junior college system. Also just finished "The Crown" and spent a bunch of time Wikipedia-ing the royal family as I watched to learn more about them/their relationship with Churchill, etc! Also currently watching This is Us (and feeling all the feels every week.) 

Reading: (checking my GoodReads to refresh my memory) Just finished reading the last book by an author Caitlin Gardner recommended - Kate Morton. Loving the historical WWII fiction these days. Recently read Being There: How to Love Those Who are Hurting. It's great, very gospel-centered. Good things to just know for when the people you love are going through something tough down the road. I also plowed through Melanie Shankle's books last year. She is a hoot!

Talking about: "You always like to talk about things you've read" - Jeremy (Amy's significant other) 

What's one way you refresh/recharge? 

Reading, going on walks with friends.

What makes you a success? 

Successful at work? I'd say probably being organized and having attention for details. 

Successful at life? I think trying to check in with friends on a regular basis, reaching out when I see something that makes me think of them, etc, and TRYING (not always all that successfully, because, Netflix and WSJ crosswords happen sometimes) to be intentional with my time, using it wisely to be productive.

Amy's family in the Grand Canyon

What is your greatest pet peeve? 

Having trouble coming up with anything that really drives me nuts.. I do NOT like metro buses. I also really don't like it when people over use the ellipses (ex: finishing texts with ... when you DON'T HAVE anything else to say. ugh.)

What's a piece of technology you can't live without? Could be an app etc 

Maybe my Kindle! Or the Kindle app on my phone.

What's a dream you had for your life that hasn't come true? 

I'll have to think about that one. Doesn't feel like too many doors have been completely shut for me at this point (big praise!), so while some dreams haven't come true yet, doesn't mean that they won't!

What are characteristics of your friends that make them so special to you? 

So many things! The first two things that come to mind are thoughtfulness and their ability to make me laugh.

What's the best piece of advice you've ever received? 

My grandma used to say "you can't live life scared." I try to remind myself of that whenever I'm feeling worried or anxious about a decision or the future.

Thanks for taking the time to answer these questions, Ames! We sure appreciate your time (and willingness to let me share this with the internet.) Tune back to hear answers from two more fun peeps soon! 

they call the thing rodeo.

This will be my 10th year on Breeders Greeters, a large committee part of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR). I get asked pretty frequently how do I find the time, or why do I make the time - our committee has pretty crazy hours, and you volunteer for about 40 hours (or more) during the three weeks of the Show.  I've done at least one middle of the night shift each year for the past 10 years. 

Why do I stand in a rainy parking lot at 2 am serving coffee to the youth exhibitors unload their chickens for the poultry show? Why do I take off work to volunteer at the nations largest livestock show? Why do I rodeo? 

I rodeo first and foremost because of my grandfather, who joined the show as committeeman in 1978 and eventually was voted in as a Lifetime Director. 

I rodeo because it means so much to our family. I rodeo because I love this city, because the rodeo supports education, because in this concrete jungle it's nice to smell cattle and get your boots dirty without stepping outside the loop. 

I rodeo because the Show is all about giving back, because it's nice for this giant city to feel like a small town for a few weeks each year, because crown and diet just don't taste the same anywhere else. My time at the Show has been a nice reminder of how much work goes into raising these animals and working the land. I rodeo because...chuck wagon races. Need I say more? 

In short, I rodeo because as Hank Junior sings, it's a family tradition. And also... that gold badge comes with a lot of hard earned perks. 

My grandfather joined HLSR in 1978 when his friend Lodie Stapleton encouraged him to join the Quarter-horse committee. He was active with the Show for the next 40+ years, until his death in 2013. Its important to note he was in the hospital for the entire duration of the show that year, but he waited until just a few days after the rodeo closed out the 2013 season to breathe his last. He didn't dare interrupt his friends' commitments with the Show to attend his funeral! 

After moving back from D.C. post-college, I knew I wanted to join a rodeo committee. At 22, I talked to B (my grandfather) and he got me and my two roommates on BG - he didn't even ask us what committee. Sweet pea, he said, this committee has a lot of young people on it, it's hard to get on, and you'll have a great time. We never looked back. (Okay, maybe we looked back during 3 am shifts in the pouring rain.) 

I grew up going out to the stock show each year with my parents and grandparents, riding in the grand entry as little kids, learning to say yes mam and no sir. Though our family never owned land or had horses, I appreciated those things from my littlest days. My dad served on the Junior Quarter Horse committee for a handful of years, and my mom would sneak us out of elementary school to work a half day with him out at the Show, opening gates for horses and feeling we owned the place. I knew then that I couldn't wait to be on a committee, too. 

During my days at A&M, I interned for the Show twice. I saw the Show from a whole new side, saw how much the Show values service and character. (And donor dollars, of course.) My first year, I was assigned to write about the exhibitors, mostly high school students from small towns, showing their heifers and hogs. They arrived with their FFA teachers, who rose before dawn daily and worked their butts off to care for their animals. The next year I worked in the executive office and saw how Houston's most prominent citizens scramble for a chance to get involved, how big-timers like Reba and George H.W. Bush value the Show and it's dedication to sending kids to college. I saw how the HLSR year-round staff don't sleep much during the Show to ensure no detail is overlooked, how thousands upon thousands of volunteers give their time to make sure it runs smoothly. 

I'll leave you with one of my very favorite show memories. I was on a BG shift, driving a golf cart in the very early hours as exhibitors parked their cars half a mile from Reliant Hall where they had just unloaded their livestock. It was before sunrise, and I picked up a dad and his young son as they exited their truck. We try to be hospitiable despite the time of day (this is Texas, right?) so I smiled and asked where they were from as I drove close to the building. 

"Earth," said the dad. 

"Oh really?" I asked. That's hilarious. 

"Yep." was all he said back. 

Earth? Earth?! It is way too early to be such a smart ass, I thought.

"No really, where are y'all from?" I asked again, not so politely, hoping I made it clear I was not going to take crap from this dude. I'm a volunteer at 4 am driving you around, you can at least tell me where you're from! 

"Earth," he explained. "It's out in West Texas, long drive from here." 

Oh, shoot! Here I was thinking he was rude, and I'm the dummy who had never heard of his hometown. Count on the rodeo to keep ya humble. 

And in my defense, I googled it later, and found out Earth, Texas has a whopping population of EIGHT people. Well, now we know. 

Happy Rodeo, y'all. Let's have a great Show!