Number 11: "I now know the truth"

I learned a very important truth this Christmas while celebrating said holiday with my friend Jody's family: Though I have thought so all my life, I am NOT from the South. While people in Oklahoma or Tulsa tend to believe this is truth, it is simply not the case. I always thought that Paula Dean (of Food Network fame) was just exaggerating her "Southerness" for the camera, but I learned that that is really how people from the South are. They love butter and mayonnaise and casseroles and gossip and strange remedies for maladies involving whiskey and lemon juice and bratty-but-cute kids with thick southern accents and listening to Elvis sings Christmas. I thought these things only existed in the movies. Also, I met the funniest old woman alive, complete with red satin running suit and a brand new Polaroid camera. Yes, you read that right, she took all sorts of pictures with this archaic piece of technology and "shaked it like a polaroid".

In other, more exciting news, tomorrow morning at 11 I will be the proud owner of my first dog. Currently her name is Pattycake, but that certainly must change. I don't know that I can think of a worse name for a dog. Any suggestions for a name? She is a Labrador Retriever, but she looks like she might also have some Chow in her. She's two years old, 25 pounds, and the shiest dog I have ever encountered. It took me 30 minutes and 4 treats just to get her to let me pet her. So its probably going to be a long and arduous couple of weeks getting her acquainted to me. But I saw her open up around the people she was comfortable with, and when she does with me I imagine she will be the perfect companion.

And more exciting news: this February I will be making my first trip out of the country. For the church I am going to Kenya to take some video to make a promotional advertisement for the youth who are taking a mission trip there during the summer. So be expecting a support letter from me.

So, I'll post pics/video of my to-be-named dog soon. Until then, let Jesus love you, and then love others in return.