Since Yi borrowed something from me yesterday, I'm borrowing this from her. She is right. It is addicting. My score was 86%. Average error is 25 miles and it took me 328 seconds.

I have a friend. Her name is Kate. Kate is cool. Way cool. She makes me laugh, a lot. This is Kate's daughter, Ruth. A couple Sundays ago, I saw the Mazurs on the other side of the church. I thought Ruth had little pig tails in but once we got closer, I realized she did not. I told Kate this and she said, "Oh, I don't know Holly, I might need your help with that." Last Sunday, I stood with the rest of the Germany team to recount our mission trip. As I was speaking, I saw the Mazurs, in their usual spot but I almost lost it because I saw not only the daughter wearing mini pig-tails, but the mother, too. Only Kate could convey an inside joke to me the way she did. Love it, Kate!

Ruth and her big sis, Amber. Isn't Ruth's hair cute!

Kate and Luke

Luke and Ruth

I'm posting this because it is oh, so cute. I used to have this blanket I carried everywhere. Couldn't sleep without you (yes, that is a cat and yes it is alive (in the picture, that is)).

Ha! Some things never change... My mom still has to steal it on the weekends to wash it.

Recently, my friend Chuck posted pictures of the little girl he sponsors. I, too, have a little boy. His name is Melvin and he lives in Honduras. I've been sponsoring him for about a year and a half. Here's the story:
I was driving into work one morning, listening the D-town Christian radio station. The announcer said they had a little boy who needed a sponsor. I listened, intently, because I had been wanting to sponsor a kid for awhile. The announcer said the boy's name was Melvin (that's cute), he lives in Honduras (never been), he is 4-years-old (ohhhh), and his birthday is August 17th. "Stop. Hold up. August 17th? That's Kim's birthday. Is this a sign, God? Should I sponsor him?"

I never really test God like this but I said, "okay, Lord. You and I both know how bad the parking sucks at work. IF I get there and there happens to be a front row parking spot available...I'll know this is the kid for me. I'll take it as a sign" I got to work and call it coincidence but there was a front row spot open. I raced inside, called the station, and sponsored Melvin.

This picture is of Melvin when he was 4-years-old. Krissie said it looks like he is wearing a Tommy Hilfiger shirt. I doubt it. I write to Melvin and his family but the boy cannot write back, yet. I sent him some stickers and coloring books for Christmas (we have a limit on what we can send). I received a letter from Melvin's dad about a month later:

Blessed Sponsor,
Everyone is in good health. The boy is fine and starts Kinder soon. Thank you for the stickers. Our crops are failing.

Whoa. Wish I could send them some fertilizer...or food but hey, stickers and my monthly check will have to do. God bless them.

Melvin 5-years-old

My step-mom and I after the 5k. I've got an 8k coming up on September 18th. Going to try to get my friend Suzanne in on that one (come on, Suz. One lap around Lake Lansing...no big deal).

After the 5K hanging at Ohhh La La.

I know I've posted this before but I just wanted to share the difference between my baby dedication and my adult baptism: I remember it and I went under water.

I never posted pictures from my baptism. Here are a few. I'm still waiting for the really good ones (ahem....Noel?). This is me telling why I was going to be baptised.

Scary Pastor

Noel, Steve and I before they held me under. Why am I laughing? Because one of them (Noel I think) said, "Holly Beavers..." and I said, "yeah?" like I didn't know they were about to baptize me or something. I guess you had to be there.

I'm baptized!

American German Missionary

For those that don't know, we left someone behind on our trip. This was done on purpose of course. Her blog is so cool. It shows so many struggles of living and adapting to a foreign country. Also, it reveals the glory she finds in God. She has managed to meet many people and follow up on the some of the people we met while we were there. Recently, Brandi posted a list of differences in living a German life. These difference are also what I experienced while there. I even added some more in the comments.

Spartan Stadium was ranked 5th in this poll. Do you agree with the other standings?

Honesty and Kindness

I just read something cool in my little Daily Bread booklet:

Honest people can be cruel. Kind people may be soft and not concerned enough about righteousness. But when you put honesty and kindness together, you have a wonderful pair that honors God and blesses others. Tact is the ability to make a point without making an enemy.
–Herb Vander Lugt

It reminded me of Saturday at Riv. Someone snapped at me. I’ve always viewed this person as harsh though others have said this person is just “real” and “honest.” Still, even the person next to me said, “whoa. He just yelled at you.” Yeah, and it hurt but the next day I just smiled at him.

This statement by Herb also reminded me of the times I snapped at people. Yes. It happens. I think we should apologize right away for doing it, though. Funny how you think Christians are supposed to be nicey nice all the time. I’m not. But I need and appreciate this reminder.

What is desired in a man is kindness, and a poor man is better than a liar. Proverbs 19:22

There is a thunderstorm outside. I love it. Everyone is complaining about the weather. I love it. It surprises me when I hear the weather forecasters say, “Unfortunately, we are going to have some major storms today.” Give me a good, dramatic storm over a boring sunny day anytime. Unless I have plans to be outside of course.

On another note, I am finished reading “You: The Owner’s Manual” written by two doctors. This book has been sweet and has helped me make some healthy changes. The book is full of awesome facts, too. Here are some:
The secret to being young is having young arteries. They list many ways on how to maintain healthy arteries.
Training for marathons is not healthy.
High protein diets can accelerate bone loss. So does caffeine.
Men have an enzyme that metabolizes half the alcohol they drink before it even hits the bloodstream. Women don’t have as much of that enzyme in their gut wall or blood.
We all produce one to three pints of gas daily.
Stop ingesting High Fructose Corn Syrup—it confuses your stomach into thinking it is hungry so you overeat
Flossing is a pain so to keep things easy, live by this rule: only floss the teeth you want to keep.
Vegetarians who haven’t eaten meat in a long time don’t like it if they try it again because they don’t secrete the right mix of enzymes from the salivary glands to help it digest. If feels heavy, doesn’t digest as well so you don’t feel good and don’t enjoy it.
Stop eating white rice and white bread. Switch to whole grains. Be smart about your carbs.

I’ve been doing a pretty good job at maintaining a healthy diet. I ate an egg salad sandwich on whole grain bread and drank some water. Then I drove to Akasaka and ordered some white rice with soy sauce. I suck.