Hope everyone is having the best day available to them. It has been a rough 2 weeks. Last week was our spring break. Caught the Cold of Death, gave it to my husband and my youngest this week. 🤦🏻♀️🙄 and I myself and not yet quite 100%. Anywho, Holy Week is one of my most favorite times and I listen to Jesus Christ Superstar on repeat. Today as we pulled into church, I played Gesthemane for my boys (12 & 6). I said this is an appropriate Good Friday song. If you haven’t listened, it’s Jesus’s point of view on what is about to happen to him. He has doubts and is like so I want to do this? What does it mean? It’s beautiful and haunting. Each time I listen to this soundtrack, I find something new.
Happy Easter, Lil Swipes! Hoping to meet more of you some day soon! Erin, you’ve built the loveliest of communities here and words cannot express how grateful I am for it. 😘😘😘
Hi besties! Long time, no see! I was locked out of my old email and could not for the life of me get my new email signed up. I worked it out, everything is fine. I believe the last time we spoke was about my experience at summer camp, which was V COOL. However, I am a senior in HS now and this year has been THE COOLEST. (For those I haven't met yet, I'm the resident VERY Little Swipe. I'm one of the #PopcastTeens and somehow I found this community and YALL ARE A BLESSING) So, to recap!
* I started in person learning by taking classes through College Credit Plus at my local university. May I just say, in person learning is a GAME CHANGER. I had been completely homeschooled since kindergarten and now realize that my ADHD brain can focus way easier in person.
* I got plugged into an AMAZING Bible study of other college students that are also trying to figure out what they believe about God and it's been so lifegiving. Literally so thrilled.
* Against everything in my being, I chose to go to a Christian college this fall. So, that'll be interesting. But, it seems like this is where God is calling me? So, we'll see how it goes. But, I did find a roommate and she's also a v quirky gal, so hopefully that's good!
* I am in counseling and it's made my life so much better. Uncovered a LOT of trauma that makes things make sense and a lil more complex, but it's getting better.
* My parents are still not the best and I want to move out more than ever. BUT my dad is no longer the assistant pastor of the church I attend, so no more weekly Sunday evening panic attacks! V exciting!
* Also. My hair is now blue in an act of rebellion. So, check my IG to see that loveliness.
@rileyjmccune
* thinking of getting a tattoo, pls give me all the stories abt tattoos*
My dog sprained her wrist this week, so while I never thought I would have to actually find a vet beyond asking a coworker's opinion, I did and I like them and she managed not to completely embarrass me. She's on rest for a minimum of 10 days, right when we were starting to get back into a walking routine...go figure.
Update to the furniture situation: for the first time ever, I have been defeated by flatpack. It looks like it was put together by an over-ambitious 8-year-old.
Trying to decide if I'm going to go to church this weekend for the first time in 2+ years...
PSA that y'all need to be following Johnny Weir on IG. He's basically a giant dork but make it fashion, and I mean that as the highest possible compliment.
In the words of Kate Bowler - no Happy Good Friday! (for you who celebrate and Passover for those who celebrate that and happy hi for everyone else). I always feel so weird on Good Friday mainly because family usually comes to town so it feels wrong to feel mournful and wrong to be happy and celebrating everyone on Friday already. Oh the bittersweet of life.
Also - I bought the livestream if anyone is in the DMV area and wants to watch together!
Treasure this week- finishing up the Good Friday service and lunch out with my guy while Gran-Gran hangs with our boys. Second HUGE treasure- I’ve been very sick and thought my youngest son might have it also. Tests came back negative for him🥳🥳🥳
The downside is that I’m not totally well yet but must continue to live my life as though I am fine. I am not fine. And I appreciate the space here to say that.
Long time reader - first time commenter (That I can remember!?)
Treasures from this week:
😵That lighthouse tweet killed me. I’m just here to have a good time but dang, that’s rough because it’s true. 😂
👩🏻🎨 I applied for a job that would be a perfect fit for my family, allowing us to switch as breadwinners and allow my husband to focus on childcare and ministry. I’m trying not to get too excited, even though the job is perfect, and just praying they call me for an interview. Trying to stay grounded and cautiously hopeful. 🤪
🌼We tried dandelion fritters and my 5yo had a great time collecting all of the dandelions in the lawn. It was so fun and they are sweeter than you would think! We were just missing a bit of whip cream with them...
🛼 Even though I’ve had a tumultuous relationship with my body and movement over the past while, I am finding a ton of joy and benefit from roller skating in my driveway a few days a week. I especially love jamming out to my fave pop songs - if anyone has any great groovy songs I should check out for this let me know please!
🐣 I am ready for lent to be over and Even though I’ll sit in the crucifixion for a while yet, I am excited to embrace the Light on Sunday. I think I’m going to make some focaccia bread for us to do some communion with, because every time I poke the bread with my fingers or a fork I remember “He was pierced for our transgressions” and when I dip the bread in vinegar I can remember the vinegar he drank on the cross.
Hoping all is well or as well as it can be with you all!
Coming in late to say that I had the best time meeting so many of you in Chicago, and also my introvert self still hasn't fully recovered!
My sister's choir performed Considering Matthew Shepard this weekend (and she had a solo!) and it was beautiful but also emotionally overwhelming.
We're going to a church about an hour away on Easter, and it'll be my first in person church experience in over two years. I'm looking forward to it but also weirdly nervous.
I just wanted to tell you all about my latest treasure! It is the binging of Nancy Meyers movies. It's kind of a decide once for what to watch in the evening. My husband is occupied by the new season of better call Saul and everything else there is to watch seems dark and heavy and I've watched my comfort shows too many times. But watching Steve Martin and beautiful kitchens has been so lovely. Especially in light of the crazy huge spring blizzard that we just got in Manitoba Canada.
Hello! Long time no see! Just wanted to say hi. 🙋 I, too, still riding that Chicago high. Also currently enjoying one of the favored recs from today's Bible Binge episode (that David Crowder album is TAKING ME BACK in the best way possible. Also in a heartache way because it's taking me back to playing in the worship band at our NC church which--because of the people in it-- is truly one of the highlights of my life). Anyway, this weekend is all about being flexible which is weird for Easter but it's the world we live in. All my in-laws might come tomorrow for the weekend, or they might not. We will know tomorrow. In the meantime, I have all the stuff for my Grandma's potatoes, and I am making lemon pound cake today.
Random treasure this week: the Holderness podcast recaps of the Amazing Race. Any other Race fans out there? It's been fun getting a behind the scenes look. And they interviewed Phil!
Love to you all! Thank you for making this a place I can come back to, even when I am absent for long stretches of time.
Coming off the first week in a new job, here are the highlights/treasures:
👟 Getting in WAY more steps in my new job! I have lots more chances to walk around and take brain breaks during the day.
🚲 Speaking of exercise, I finally hit 100 rides on my Peloton! I couldn’t figure out why my high fives from strangers were exploding at first - but it was a very cool felling!
🌙 I got to test out a Virtual Reality system to drive a rover on the moon! It was such a blast and I’m amazed by the amazing people I work with that can build something like that. I went over as many boulders as possible and also did donuts. 😆
📚 Currently reading “Notes on an Execution” per Jamie’s green light and I’m really enjoying it! It’s not “light” reading, per se, but it is holding my attention better than anything else has lately.
🚗 We’re in the car now on our way to my Dad’s for Easter weekend! Looking forward to some family time and watching the kids go nuts over finding Easter eggs on his land.
Last weekend our church hosted a potential youth pastor and his wife. I got to meet with him for lunch on Saturday with my co-leader in youth, then we hosted a dinner at our house, a student/parent lunch on Sunday and a lunch with the rest of staff on Monday. It was a lot but it all felt sooo good. Nothing could have gone any better. We LOVED them and now we’re just waiting and hoping they loved us too!
My sweet Boston Terrier got into a whole bowl of peanut m&ms last night. We thought she was ok but is definitely off today. Hoping it passes quickly.
As always, the weather here in mid-Missouri continues to top my turd list. We had a gorgeous 80 degree day on Tuesday and then Wednesday was raining and 40. Ugh. I just need some consistent days of high 60s or low 70s for spring. Also, Easter’s forecast look awful. Rain and a high of 47. 👎🏻
My son loves Arizona punch and tea. I literally just said the other day when buying one, “at least Arizona is still 99 cents!” 🙏 It’s the little things.
Hi friends! Erin, thanks for sharing that Atlantic article. I see a lot of those things in college students too.
Turd of turds and then I'll do some treasures... (TW: cancer)
- On Monday, we found out that my friend Amanda (context: I work in campus ministry, so Amanda and her husband are our campus directors, making her my boss and mentor and also dear friend) has stage 4 colon cancer. She'd been having stomach pain for a while, but as a healthy 36 year old this wasn't at the top of the doctors' screening list. Eventually, she had a biopsy of a spot and here we are.
- I'm sad and angry, and I have a weird relationship with anger so I feel stuck. I don't even want to lament. I think I need Lament Lite™️ where I tell all the people who say "just feel your feelings" where to shove it, and I have a polite and rational conversation with God that magically makes me feel better. But for real - this has shown me that I don't yet feel permission from God to be angry. (for those wondering, yes, I do have a counseling appointment scheduled 😘) I hope soon I will have the capacity and the desire to channel my inner Bill Murray from "What About Bob" and baby-step anger. Happy holy week/Lent am I right? (Actually, Easter does feel like a very appropriate time to ponder life and death. Glad it's not, like, friggin Christmas or whatever.)
Treasures! (because life is nuanced!)
- this has led to some sweet moments talking with our students about *waves hands* all this.
- my parents are on their way to visit for Easter as we speak. Nothing says "I've got you" like your mom armed with a spiral ham from Costco.
- you can now see why the AUA on Tuesday was such a gift. For an hour, I didn't think about cancer, only "things that entertain but do not matter". 💛
- Kit Kats now come in a lemon flavor and they're surprisingly delightful.
Thank you for receiving this and sitting with me for a minute. I really appreciate it!
I'm not much of a canned tea drinker, but that AriZona article was fascinating.
I work for an Episcopal church, so this week is far from over. I'm not on the ministry side, but I spent last night setting up foot washing stations and trying to figure out why the janitors had no hot water. Today: setting up a giant cross and other set pieces for the Good Friday service. Tomorrow: switch everything to white for Easter. Oh, and host a birthday party for our twins who are turning twelve. Nbd. Sunday: all the things. I told my MIL we would be happy to show up at her condo for Easter dinner, but not until 2 and we aren't bringing anything. If I can just make it to Monday...
On the upside, the Maundy Thursday service is by far my favorite service of the year, it makes me cry and want to hug everybody. The Stripping of the Altar is so moving.
Not to brag but I have been in the Grandma zone for at least 6 months.💁🏻♀️
My treasure this week was discovering the new episode of You’re Wrong About. Sarah Marshall and Anne Helen Peterson together is everything I never knew I needed.👯♀️
It’s been a 💩 couple of weeks overall but it feels especially gracious of Jesus that it’s happening around Easter. I feel like Jesus just keeps holding me with compassion and saying “I know. I get it. I know.” ❤️
Hello dears (Mrs. Doubtfire voice)!
Hope everyone is having the best day available to them. It has been a rough 2 weeks. Last week was our spring break. Caught the Cold of Death, gave it to my husband and my youngest this week. 🤦🏻♀️🙄 and I myself and not yet quite 100%. Anywho, Holy Week is one of my most favorite times and I listen to Jesus Christ Superstar on repeat. Today as we pulled into church, I played Gesthemane for my boys (12 & 6). I said this is an appropriate Good Friday song. If you haven’t listened, it’s Jesus’s point of view on what is about to happen to him. He has doubts and is like so I want to do this? What does it mean? It’s beautiful and haunting. Each time I listen to this soundtrack, I find something new.
Happy Easter, Lil Swipes! Hoping to meet more of you some day soon! Erin, you’ve built the loveliest of communities here and words cannot express how grateful I am for it. 😘😘😘
Hi besties! Long time, no see! I was locked out of my old email and could not for the life of me get my new email signed up. I worked it out, everything is fine. I believe the last time we spoke was about my experience at summer camp, which was V COOL. However, I am a senior in HS now and this year has been THE COOLEST. (For those I haven't met yet, I'm the resident VERY Little Swipe. I'm one of the #PopcastTeens and somehow I found this community and YALL ARE A BLESSING) So, to recap!
* I started in person learning by taking classes through College Credit Plus at my local university. May I just say, in person learning is a GAME CHANGER. I had been completely homeschooled since kindergarten and now realize that my ADHD brain can focus way easier in person.
* I got plugged into an AMAZING Bible study of other college students that are also trying to figure out what they believe about God and it's been so lifegiving. Literally so thrilled.
* Against everything in my being, I chose to go to a Christian college this fall. So, that'll be interesting. But, it seems like this is where God is calling me? So, we'll see how it goes. But, I did find a roommate and she's also a v quirky gal, so hopefully that's good!
* I am in counseling and it's made my life so much better. Uncovered a LOT of trauma that makes things make sense and a lil more complex, but it's getting better.
* My parents are still not the best and I want to move out more than ever. BUT my dad is no longer the assistant pastor of the church I attend, so no more weekly Sunday evening panic attacks! V exciting!
* Also. My hair is now blue in an act of rebellion. So, check my IG to see that loveliness.
@rileyjmccune
* thinking of getting a tattoo, pls give me all the stories abt tattoos*
My dog sprained her wrist this week, so while I never thought I would have to actually find a vet beyond asking a coworker's opinion, I did and I like them and she managed not to completely embarrass me. She's on rest for a minimum of 10 days, right when we were starting to get back into a walking routine...go figure.
Update to the furniture situation: for the first time ever, I have been defeated by flatpack. It looks like it was put together by an over-ambitious 8-year-old.
Trying to decide if I'm going to go to church this weekend for the first time in 2+ years...
PSA that y'all need to be following Johnny Weir on IG. He's basically a giant dork but make it fashion, and I mean that as the highest possible compliment.
In the words of Kate Bowler - no Happy Good Friday! (for you who celebrate and Passover for those who celebrate that and happy hi for everyone else). I always feel so weird on Good Friday mainly because family usually comes to town so it feels wrong to feel mournful and wrong to be happy and celebrating everyone on Friday already. Oh the bittersweet of life.
Also - I bought the livestream if anyone is in the DMV area and wants to watch together!
Here is a treasure for my Broadway Babes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4lzYQ18C8E
Treasure this week- finishing up the Good Friday service and lunch out with my guy while Gran-Gran hangs with our boys. Second HUGE treasure- I’ve been very sick and thought my youngest son might have it also. Tests came back negative for him🥳🥳🥳
The downside is that I’m not totally well yet but must continue to live my life as though I am fine. I am not fine. And I appreciate the space here to say that.
Hey everyone!
Long time reader - first time commenter (That I can remember!?)
Treasures from this week:
😵That lighthouse tweet killed me. I’m just here to have a good time but dang, that’s rough because it’s true. 😂
👩🏻🎨 I applied for a job that would be a perfect fit for my family, allowing us to switch as breadwinners and allow my husband to focus on childcare and ministry. I’m trying not to get too excited, even though the job is perfect, and just praying they call me for an interview. Trying to stay grounded and cautiously hopeful. 🤪
🌼We tried dandelion fritters and my 5yo had a great time collecting all of the dandelions in the lawn. It was so fun and they are sweeter than you would think! We were just missing a bit of whip cream with them...
🛼 Even though I’ve had a tumultuous relationship with my body and movement over the past while, I am finding a ton of joy and benefit from roller skating in my driveway a few days a week. I especially love jamming out to my fave pop songs - if anyone has any great groovy songs I should check out for this let me know please!
🐣 I am ready for lent to be over and Even though I’ll sit in the crucifixion for a while yet, I am excited to embrace the Light on Sunday. I think I’m going to make some focaccia bread for us to do some communion with, because every time I poke the bread with my fingers or a fork I remember “He was pierced for our transgressions” and when I dip the bread in vinegar I can remember the vinegar he drank on the cross.
Hoping all is well or as well as it can be with you all!
Happy “good” Friday. :)
Hi friends!
Coming in late to say that I had the best time meeting so many of you in Chicago, and also my introvert self still hasn't fully recovered!
My sister's choir performed Considering Matthew Shepard this weekend (and she had a solo!) and it was beautiful but also emotionally overwhelming.
We're going to a church about an hour away on Easter, and it'll be my first in person church experience in over two years. I'm looking forward to it but also weirdly nervous.
Wishing you all the best weekend!
I just wanted to tell you all about my latest treasure! It is the binging of Nancy Meyers movies. It's kind of a decide once for what to watch in the evening. My husband is occupied by the new season of better call Saul and everything else there is to watch seems dark and heavy and I've watched my comfort shows too many times. But watching Steve Martin and beautiful kitchens has been so lovely. Especially in light of the crazy huge spring blizzard that we just got in Manitoba Canada.
Loved Knox’s newsletter today, had me loling!
Hello! Long time no see! Just wanted to say hi. 🙋 I, too, still riding that Chicago high. Also currently enjoying one of the favored recs from today's Bible Binge episode (that David Crowder album is TAKING ME BACK in the best way possible. Also in a heartache way because it's taking me back to playing in the worship band at our NC church which--because of the people in it-- is truly one of the highlights of my life). Anyway, this weekend is all about being flexible which is weird for Easter but it's the world we live in. All my in-laws might come tomorrow for the weekend, or they might not. We will know tomorrow. In the meantime, I have all the stuff for my Grandma's potatoes, and I am making lemon pound cake today.
Random treasure this week: the Holderness podcast recaps of the Amazing Race. Any other Race fans out there? It's been fun getting a behind the scenes look. And they interviewed Phil!
Love to you all! Thank you for making this a place I can come back to, even when I am absent for long stretches of time.
Friday, friends! We did it! 🎉
Coming off the first week in a new job, here are the highlights/treasures:
👟 Getting in WAY more steps in my new job! I have lots more chances to walk around and take brain breaks during the day.
🚲 Speaking of exercise, I finally hit 100 rides on my Peloton! I couldn’t figure out why my high fives from strangers were exploding at first - but it was a very cool felling!
🌙 I got to test out a Virtual Reality system to drive a rover on the moon! It was such a blast and I’m amazed by the amazing people I work with that can build something like that. I went over as many boulders as possible and also did donuts. 😆
📚 Currently reading “Notes on an Execution” per Jamie’s green light and I’m really enjoying it! It’s not “light” reading, per se, but it is holding my attention better than anything else has lately.
🚗 We’re in the car now on our way to my Dad’s for Easter weekend! Looking forward to some family time and watching the kids go nuts over finding Easter eggs on his land.
Have a great one, Swipes!
Last weekend our church hosted a potential youth pastor and his wife. I got to meet with him for lunch on Saturday with my co-leader in youth, then we hosted a dinner at our house, a student/parent lunch on Sunday and a lunch with the rest of staff on Monday. It was a lot but it all felt sooo good. Nothing could have gone any better. We LOVED them and now we’re just waiting and hoping they loved us too!
My sweet Boston Terrier got into a whole bowl of peanut m&ms last night. We thought she was ok but is definitely off today. Hoping it passes quickly.
As always, the weather here in mid-Missouri continues to top my turd list. We had a gorgeous 80 degree day on Tuesday and then Wednesday was raining and 40. Ugh. I just need some consistent days of high 60s or low 70s for spring. Also, Easter’s forecast look awful. Rain and a high of 47. 👎🏻
My son loves Arizona punch and tea. I literally just said the other day when buying one, “at least Arizona is still 99 cents!” 🙏 It’s the little things.
Hi friends! Erin, thanks for sharing that Atlantic article. I see a lot of those things in college students too.
Turd of turds and then I'll do some treasures... (TW: cancer)
- On Monday, we found out that my friend Amanda (context: I work in campus ministry, so Amanda and her husband are our campus directors, making her my boss and mentor and also dear friend) has stage 4 colon cancer. She'd been having stomach pain for a while, but as a healthy 36 year old this wasn't at the top of the doctors' screening list. Eventually, she had a biopsy of a spot and here we are.
- I'm sad and angry, and I have a weird relationship with anger so I feel stuck. I don't even want to lament. I think I need Lament Lite™️ where I tell all the people who say "just feel your feelings" where to shove it, and I have a polite and rational conversation with God that magically makes me feel better. But for real - this has shown me that I don't yet feel permission from God to be angry. (for those wondering, yes, I do have a counseling appointment scheduled 😘) I hope soon I will have the capacity and the desire to channel my inner Bill Murray from "What About Bob" and baby-step anger. Happy holy week/Lent am I right? (Actually, Easter does feel like a very appropriate time to ponder life and death. Glad it's not, like, friggin Christmas or whatever.)
Treasures! (because life is nuanced!)
- this has led to some sweet moments talking with our students about *waves hands* all this.
- my parents are on their way to visit for Easter as we speak. Nothing says "I've got you" like your mom armed with a spiral ham from Costco.
- you can now see why the AUA on Tuesday was such a gift. For an hour, I didn't think about cancer, only "things that entertain but do not matter". 💛
- Kit Kats now come in a lemon flavor and they're surprisingly delightful.
Thank you for receiving this and sitting with me for a minute. I really appreciate it!
I'm not much of a canned tea drinker, but that AriZona article was fascinating.
I work for an Episcopal church, so this week is far from over. I'm not on the ministry side, but I spent last night setting up foot washing stations and trying to figure out why the janitors had no hot water. Today: setting up a giant cross and other set pieces for the Good Friday service. Tomorrow: switch everything to white for Easter. Oh, and host a birthday party for our twins who are turning twelve. Nbd. Sunday: all the things. I told my MIL we would be happy to show up at her condo for Easter dinner, but not until 2 and we aren't bringing anything. If I can just make it to Monday...
On the upside, the Maundy Thursday service is by far my favorite service of the year, it makes me cry and want to hug everybody. The Stripping of the Altar is so moving.
Not to brag but I have been in the Grandma zone for at least 6 months.💁🏻♀️
My treasure this week was discovering the new episode of You’re Wrong About. Sarah Marshall and Anne Helen Peterson together is everything I never knew I needed.👯♀️
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/youre-wrong-about/id1380008439?i=1000556947297
It’s been a 💩 couple of weeks overall but it feels especially gracious of Jesus that it’s happening around Easter. I feel like Jesus just keeps holding me with compassion and saying “I know. I get it. I know.” ❤️