The Social Porcupine

Early November I went to Tennessee to volunteer for Above Rubies for my second time. I was only planning on staying a month and half, but as life has it, plans changed numerous times so that I ended up staying over six months! Back with family .... ..and friends. I just arrived back home about two weeks ago. In some ways I feel like I'm home... But then  other times I still find myself thinking of TN and everyone there. Six months is a long time. A lot can happen in six months. One of my friends married. Another had a baby. Another entered a relationship. Friendships went through rough times. Many were strengthened. I learned a lot about life and people in general during my time there. I learned life skills, people skills, conversational skills. I had troubles and trials during my time there. Some involved others, while some did not. Either way I learned a lot even during those times. In some ways I...

It was an ordinary office day. Work was great. Shelby and I were having fun. I madethe same stupid, crazy jokes, Shelby gave me the same looks. The image below came from something I said that day... it was too funny that I had to make a meme of it. :) But all day long my mind wasn't really on the office work or on the fun we were having, but what I would be doing that evening – horse riding. For it was a beautiful sunny day! A friend and I had gone a few times before, but our time had always been limited. This time we had a couple hours all free to just ride. (Oh – and we were riding bare-back, and I wasn't so experienced ;b) I quickly got ready. I put on a full, tye-dyed skirt, leggings, and a comfortable t-shirt. And ran downstairs. My arrow head necklace bounced against my throat. “Wow,” I thought. “this arrow-head could bounce up as I'm riding and stab me in the throat and kill me.” What a thought. But I was too lazy to be bothered with ...

What a surprise Shelby and I got last night!?  This family of seven just walked into our office end of the day - shouting, dramatic, energized, full of fun. Lizzy Evans and her family!!! (Lizzy was a Ruby girl that worked with Shelby.) Lizzy and her nephew, Lemuel.  Come on, Lemuel! Smile! :) Olivia - Lizzy's sister and Lemuel's mom -, me, and Liszt. We are all wearing blue shirts - how weird :/ ;b Cheyenne, a neighbor and friend came to spend the night last night since Lizzy was here :) Just look at that baby! ;) Going for the tail ;) It was so fun having the girls stay with us last night- the rest of the family stayed somewhere else. But they could only stay one night :/ Ah :/ Yet, it was so great meeting them!!!!! Ruby girls - me (current), Lizzy (Sept-Nov. 2015), and Shelby (current).

I am currently working for my second time at Above Rubies. The first time (2014) lasted about 3 months. This last time it has been for about 6 months or so. Still, I get the questions; "What is Above Rubies?" "What do you do exactly?" or "What sort of office work?" The first answer is simple. Above Rubies is a ministry that prints a magazine supported by donations only. The magazine is designed to encourage mothers and wives to follow God's calling in their lives - to be righteous mothers and wives. Nancy Campbell is the founder, editor, and compiler of Above Rubies. She works almost 24/7 to help and encourage women all over the world in many different ways besides the magazines. Office work... and using computers ;) And to the second - what do I do? As Ruby Girls, we come to do volunteer office work. There's normally at least two of us here at a time. We take care of orders (we sell books, DVD's, and shirts to help suppo...