Friday High Fives – I Went to Prison
You guys, HAPPY FRIDAY.
Oh, I’m sorry if you were lured in by the “I Went to Prison” title. I didn’t go to prison cause I was bad… if you keep reading, you’ll see what I was talking about.
It’s Friday, which means I’m linking up with Lauren at From My Grey Desk Blog.
Here are my High Fives for the week:
1. Tiny Arm Parties – no, I don’t have tiny arms – I just like to have tiny arm parties. They make me feel fancy. Also, I am kind of obsessed with my bow bangle from JewelMint – my $150 winnings went a long way. I LOVE JewelMint!
2. Making delicious dinners at home from “what we have lying around” – I hadn’t been grocery shopping yet after I got home from The Vegas and wanted to make the hubs a nice dinner – so with some food I had lying around the house and my wits, I whipped up this delicious Shrimp, Spinach, and Broccoli alfredo-esque thing. It was nom nom nom.
3. Starting a new #SheReadsTruth plan yesterday… and getting a little smack in the face from the Word. If you’re interested in learning more about the #SheReadsTruth community, check it out here!
4. I went to Prison. Some of you probably know (because I have mentioned it here before) that I volunteer in the women’s prison in Raleigh, NCCIW (North Carolina Correctional Institute for Women). It’s a maximum security prison and the largest and primary prison for women in North Carolina. I know some of you probably think it’s crazy to think that this bubbly girl you’re looking at goes behind the walls of a prison a couple times a month. Well, I do. I usually go to lead worship for the church services we hold in the prison, but this past Wednesday, I went to be a “guest judge” for their NCCIW Idol competition! IKNOWRIGHT?! It was awesome. Whoaly moly there is some SERIOUS talent behind those prison walls.
In a lot of ways it kinda breaks my heart that there is serious talent that is, in many ways, wasted because of a few mistakes and wrong turns along the way. But honestly, I loved the experience getting to see the women sing for once (rather than me up there singing…). It was also “Religious Night” so they all sang praise and worship songs and it was AWESOME.
Also, to see the other inmates there in attendance rooting them on was SO cool to watch. It was a room FULL of super supportive women who just so happened to be wearing prison uniforms.
I love working with the women in NCCIW and I’ve honestly begun to form great fellowship with some of the ladies. I pray for them all the time – everyone makes mistakes, but everyone needs to feel loved and forgiven – and I love getting the opportunity to show them that grace, love, and forgiveness. </end rambling>
5. The #YOLOMONDAYS link-up is coming to the blog THIS MONDAY. Y’all. GET READY. Cause #YOLOMONDAYS are gonna be off the hizzy. If you didn’t get the deets, you can check yesterday’s blog post for ALL the juicy deets (just scroll down to the bottom) – but yeah, grab your button, and share WHATEVER YOU WANT THIS COMING MONDAY (and EVERY Monday thereafter). Why? Cause #YOLO!
Here’s the HTML Code if you need it:
<a href=”http://stillbeingmolly.com/”><img title=”#YOLOMONDAYS Link Button” src=”http://stillbeingmolly.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/yolomondaysbutton.jpg” alt=”” width=”400″ height=”200″ /></a>
HTML Code if you need it:
<a href=”http://stillbeingmolly.com/”><img title=”#YOLOMONDAYS 265×265 Button” src=”http://stillbeingmolly.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/yolomondays265x265.jpg” alt=”” width=”265″ height=”265″ /></a>
Alright, y’all. That’s all for now. Happy Friday.
xoxo
Just clicked on your blog through Meghan’s at Little Girl in the Big World . . . and when I saw this post’s title, I was excited because I volunteer in a prison, too. 🙂 I’ve been doing it for about ten years (I taught my first class in a jail when I was 20). I teach a creative writing/poetry class every Monday night at San Quentin State Prison just north of San Francisco. I’m sure we’d have a lot to talk about! Also, since you volunteer in women’s prisons, you should check out this book that came out last October: https://store.mcsweeneys.net/products/inside-this-place-not-of-it-narratives-from-womens-prisons
Glad to have found you!
That is awesome that you won $150 to Jewelmint. I felt the same way about you with joining. I ended up joining when I get an email for 70% off a piece and ebates was doing $15 back on your first piece. So I ended up essentially getting paid for my first piece.
That’s pretty cool that you got to see the talent night at the prison. I really admire that you do the volunteering there.
So, I’m pretty stoked for your link up. Yay! Also, that’s awesome that you volunteer – it takes a certain type of person to be able to give like that, and it speaks to what’s in your heart!
You seriously make me giggle every time I read a post from you, I love it. So awesome that you volunteer at a prison, that is so cool and so amazing. And, I want your bow bangle. Can I have it? 🙂
xo, Yi-chia
Always Maylee
thanks, yi-chia!! you are always so encouraging! you are the bomb, girl. for reals!! hahaha get yo’ own bow bangle 🙂 jk. but seriously. i love mine too much. LOL 🙂
Molly, LOVE the arm parties! That bow bangle is PREESH! I think it’s pretty darn cool that you volunteer at a prison. I think it sounds exciting. And what a fun link up! Happy Weekend!
-Shanna
thank you so much shanna!! you are so sweet! and i hope you come back for #YOLOMONDAYS cause you know it’s #YOLO!! hahahahaah ohhhh friday 🙂
I love that you volunteer at a prison – that is SO cool – and so awesome that they had a singing competition! Your arm parties are fabulous…have a great weekend Molly 🙂
Annie
The Other Side of Gray
thanks annie!! it is awesome!! i feel kinda bada$$ when i walk in, not gonna lie. 🙂 🙂 happy weekend, girl!
way to serve others and the lord. it sounds like a great opportunity to love on people and use your talents!
it looks like your arm parties were a hit 🙂
thank you so much, elizabeth!! it really it awesome 🙂
What a great story about the women in prison. That’s such a great place to volunteer your time. I work on a college campus and have witnessed that Idol brings out the camaraderie for sure!
Can’t wait for the Monday linkup, so fun!
thank you so much, beth! it really is awesome. i love it!! and yay! i can’t wait to see you back for #YOLOMONDAYS!!! 🙂 🙂
I love arm parties! I’m trying to make mine more creative lately. I am also jumping on the #SheReadsTruth bandwagon – I tried to get into it last time but didn’t stick with it so I’m going to try to keep up this time!
Happy Friday!
i’m definitely an amateur arm party hostess… but i’m trying 🙂 🙂
Your prison trip actually sounds wonderful and empowering!! Totally opposite of what I expected ha! I’ll be back for YOLO MOnday 🙂
thank you so much, brielle!! it really is empowering for sure!! and yesssss i can’t wait to see you back for #YOLOMONDAYS!!!
That bow bangle is to die for! I love it!
Carly
http://www.lipglossandcrayons.com
thanks, carly!!! i love it, too!
I’m DROOLING over your meal and it’s not even 8 AM yet…way to be innovative and whip something up!! My plan is to try to use what I can from our pantry before I shop again:) Also, your story about visiting the women’s prison reminded me I have been meaning to volunteer! I really want to do something to give back to my community but I haven’t been able to find something yet. I sometimes wish there were more programs or opportunities outside of churches for peeps like me. Maybe I’ll start one!!! Lol.
Okay so this is the most rambly (rambling??) comment ever.
LOL i love it!!! check out supercook.com – you can put in what you have already in your possession and it will give you a recipe!! it’s AWESOME. and there are a TON of volunteer opportunities outside of the church – i’d start with a food kitchen or women’s shelter – i also love old people so i volunteered at a nursing home in newport news when i was in college 🙂 🙂