Introduction: Katie

As I try to think of a clever way to introduce myself, I'm always brought back to, “Hollerbread, I’m Kfurmz.” 

My name is Katie. I joined Tribe a tad later than the rest of the founding members. I was brought into it through my roommate at the time, Jackie; and I was scared that no one would like me. But Tribe welcomed me in their warm Tribal way and soon, I gained a new perspective on life through our conversations.

Tribe taught me a lot of things. They opened my eyes to the world around me, to different perspectives of philosophy and the church, and to the cookbook that is Jennifer Clark. I went into college thinking I knew everything about life but really knowing nothing (as all popular kids in high school do, right?). And I praise the Lord that He brought these wonderful, crazy people to me to help me through it, along with a lot of battles I had to face in my short time at school.

               

Post-college was rough at first but now that I’m in the place where God has called me to be for the time being, things have gotten better. I’m currently in my 2^nd and final year at The Salvation Army’s College for Officer’s Training. In June 2014 (7 months away! YAY!), I’ll be commissioned and ordained as an Officer (minister) in The Salvation Army, receiving the rank of Lieutenant.  And just 3 days after this grand event, I’ll be marrying the love of my life and my best friend, Jeremiah. He is a godly man who is my helper, can make me laugh at any given moment, my spiritual leader, my beard-wanting/book-loving/coffee drinking/lover of folk music/deep-thinking/owner of portable record player/German/loving/compassionate hipster, and “the one whom my soul loves” (Solomon 3:4). God has blessed me more than I could ever have imagined. 

Jeremiah has only met one person from Tribe (Chris) but he has heard many a story and is anxious to meet them. Whether it’s a good anxious or a bad anxious, I don’t know, but…. ;)
 

Besides being a fiancé to the greatest man I’ve ever met, I enjoy iced Chai Lattes with 2 pumps of gingerbread, hayrides, apple picking, acting, babysitting, dancing [in my room], I Love Lucy, comedy, the wind, camp, the smell of Kohl’s, the beach, ministry, and much more. But most importantly, I love spending time with my Savior in our meeting place. To sit down and spend time in conversation with Him, reading His Word or devotional books or even listening to worship music, brings peace and joy. 

I’ll be honest with you, I don’t have intellectual thoughts. I was never much of a student because it takes everything in me to try to learn. So I can’t promise you big words, inputs on world issues, etc. But what I can promise you are thoughts that I have, things that I struggle with, and simplicity; because I think I'm a pretty simple person, for the most part. So I hope and pray that when my posts come up, you’ll go into it with an open heart and take what you can from it.

And now..."May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." - Romans 15:13 (NIV)

Introduction: Anya

Hi…. My name is Anya (“Hi, Anya”) and I’m a serial, non-committal blogger.  But! I’m going to try again with the help of my best friends. Maybe there’s something to this whole thing, and even if for any of the million reasons I never get past writing the third post, my friends will still be here posting…   …which makes us a community.

Anyway, my name is Anya and I’m part of Tribe.  I know this whole thing happened during our first year at Houghton, but I can’t remember the exact circumstances.  It probably had something to do with taking Cultural Anthropology and Gordon talking about the Native American burial ground Houghton is [said to be] built upon.  Whatever the circumstances, the arrangement stuck and I ended up being best friends with some of the strangest, best people I have ever met.

Unfortunately, part of college is graduating, which as Maya reflected one time, is like “being ejected into a cold, unfamiliar, [expensive] world and never being allowed to return.”  So now we all live in different places (except Chris and Jenny because they got married) far away from each other and we’re using the internet and …blogosphere (is that a word?) to try to stay connected.

Besides finding opportunities to reunite with my friends, I spend my time being married to my wonderful husband, working at a fabric shop, entertaining our surprise kitten (seriously, I had no idea kittens need so much playtime), trying to grow window herbs, and enjoying the Hudson Valley.  I am interested in agriculture and gardening, religion, culture, human and environmental interaction, community development, and learning how to be a Christian that takes Jesus seriously.

I will probably write about some upsetting topics that are on my mind, in the news, or things I would discuss with my Tribe friends but I want to try to do that in a way that also looks at small examples that offer hope.  I’ve found that sometimes the best way to bear the frustration of the overwhelming problems in the world is to look at the little things that are present and good.



Editorial note: You will notice this was published by Chris due to Anya's lack of internet access. I promise this was written by Anya, though, and is not part of some attempt by Chris to take over Anya's life and steal her kitten. --Chris