out with the old and in with the new

Remember this two years ago? Well that phone soon became MY phone (as I lost mine weeks later and Collin got a work phone). For the past two years, I've had it. But today, my friends, everything changes. 

We've finally decided that it's time to upgrade to Smart phones. CS got a Droid X 2 and I'm getting my iPhone today. But we won't forgot our roots. We've had these "junky" (can you imagine them being junky in 2006?) phones for years, and they've been good to us. I will NEVER claim to be any sort of photographer. But I am a documenter and journaler and I take a lot of pictures. I've taken tons on my junky orange phone, to tell stories and preserve memories, and they've done their job, no matter how grainy. It's seen moves, adventures, added family members, and the beautiful outdoors.

Here are a few of my favorite memories as told by my old phone. Thanks, guy. R.I.P.

J. Edgar Hoover Would Be Proud

Collin here -
I was riding the DC metro on Friday. When I got off the train, I found that my phone was longer on me. I ran back to watch the train pull away into the abyss. I continued on to my interview with a nonprofit NGO that deals with issues in developing West Africa (which is why Nikki and I have moved to DC - to do that kind of thing). When I got home I called my phone. Willie answered. I didn't understand most of what he said, but was sure to deny his request to meet him in District Heights to "exchange for my phone." Instead, I asked him to return it to the closest metro stop station agent and that I would retrieve it from lost & found. He agreed.

Later that night I checked my phone's usage online (technology is amazing - maybe I should wiretap myself!). I called the 4 numbers he had dialed and left a message with one Kendra of the Fantasy Pleasure Parties message. This turned out to be HIS sister (not mine) who kindly called back and informed that I should not expect to see my phone again; he was not the type to give things back. Sure enough, the next day he was racking up the minutes. I forwarded my number to Nikki's phone (again, awesome technology) and started getting several calls from people who seemed confused that a white boy was answering Willie's new number. I corrected the misinformation. Then went straight to Radio Shack to get my free upgrade phone from T-Mobile (I knew there was a reason I hadn't taken advantage of that yet - 9 months late).

Now I have a new phone that has a 2 mega-pixel video/camera that, for some reason, won't send pictures messages. Do I have to get some kind of media plan!? Oh well, it looks cool.

humbled once again

Let me tell you, my prayers have been answered SO many times over the last few weeks and especially today. Heavenly Father IS aware of me and knows me and wants the best for me. Not everything works out the way I expect it to, i.e. not getting our things for 3 weeks, but it always works out the best way.
Another example, Collin was downtown tonight with no cell phone (LONG STORY) and I was SO scared he would get mugged or killed. I kept praying SO hard that he would call me, somehow--and he showed up! EVEN BETTER! I'm so grateful to have someone looking out for us on this big scary move. (I know I might seem fearless, but I actually do get SCARED!)
AND I'm so grateful for so many prayers and kindnesses from dear friends and family who are so thoroughly missed. I love you guys. Thank you.