I agree with Tiny Tim

"God Bless Us, Every one!" And Merry Christmas!

one of my favorite Christmas traditions!

This year is the 6th year that I have read Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol". (as you may have noticed from this blog i LOVE the movies too!) I start reading on December 1 and finish on or before December 24. I am about 5 or 6 pages shy of having it read! Part of the tradition is that I read from the same book every year. And even though it is a little rough around the edges, I love it. It is a copy that my Dad gave me and wrote in, and it seems to make it feel more like Christmas knowing that the book was his. I hope that you are enjoying your Christmas traditions and are ready to spend time with your families!

a tribute to 'A Christmas Carol' (7 of 6)

This is one that we never got to...because it was late and I'm an old person. But it looks like it has a lot of potential!

a tribute to 'A Christmas Carol' (6 of 6)

I LOVE the Ghost of Christmas Present in this one! This is the only video of her I could find, but its good! (p.s.- 7 days!)

a tribute to 'A Christmas Carol' (5 of 6)

I'm sorry that I cannot embed this one...the embedding feature was disabled by request...although I cannot imagine why! Anyway, do take the time to copy and paste this link, it is wonderful! The Ghost of Christmas Future is Charlie Chaplin's daughter...Now that I know that I think its awesome that she didn't have any speaking lines in this scene!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZR2-GJmXOGw

a tribute to 'A Christmas Carol' (4 of 6)

I know this is a children's movie, but this song is very true and kind of makes me want to cry- its very sweet. I love Robin! (aka Tiny Tim)

a tribute to 'A Christmas Carol' (3 of 6)

This version was the truest to the book. Very good! (p.s. 10 days until Christmas!)

a tribute to 'A Christmas Carol' (2 of 6)

Whatever razzleberry dressing is, it is apparently amazing!

a tribute to 'A Christmas Carol' (1 of 6)

Joy and I watched Reginald Owen's "A Christmas Carol"
...and then we watched "Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol"
...and then we watched George C. Scott's "A Christmas Carol"
...and then "A Muppet Christmas Carol"
...and then "A Christmas Carol-The Musical!"
...and then "Scrooged" with Bill Murray.
It was an epic night. To honor such an epic night on my blog I'll post a scene from each one over the next few days. They may not be in order or the most memorable scenes, but they are some of my favorites!
Today is obviously day 1. Enjoy! =)

So many childhood memories!

Watching this not only makes me feel like I'm 5 years old, but it also makes me feel like its Christmas! Enjoy!

its the most wonderful time of the year!

It really is! I very much enjoy Christmas! I hope that you do too! Family and friends getting together to celebrate our Jesus coming to earth to die for us...its kind of a big deal! I have decided to commemorate this Christmas season by stealing Joy's idea and occasionally posting Christmas videos to the blog. Here is the first (and possibly the best!) Enjoy!

Hymns are AWESOME!

The older I get the more I seem to fall in love with Hymns. I think about all the generations of Christians who have worshipped God by singing these songs. And lyrically---Brilliant! Here is one that I have recently re-discovered. It is "Come Ye Sinners". It was written in 1759 by Joseph Hart. The part that I've been really stuck by is the verse:
"Come ye weary, heavy-laden
Lost and ruined by the fall
If you tarry until you're better
You will never come at all"
It reminds me that for hundreds of years we have tried to get our acts together before turning or returning to God. And that we aren't capable of making our lives better or complete without Him.

There are a few more verses than what I'll post on here. The verses on here are from the version of the song I have by Todd Agnew. Maybe I should do a Hymn blog every week...could be interesting.

Anyway, Enjoy! Happy Wednesday!

-Come Ye Sinners-
Come ye sinners, poor and needy
Weak and wounded, sick and sore
Jesus ready stands to save you
Full of pity, love, and power

Come ye thirsty, come and welcome
God's free bounty glorify
True belief and true repentance
Every grace that brings you nigh

I will arise and go to Jesus
He will embrace me in His arms
In the arms of my dear Savior
Oh, there are ten thousand charms

Come ye weary, heavy-laden
Lost and ruined by the fall
If you tarry until you're better
You will never come at all

I will arise and go to Jesus
He will embrace me in His arms
In the arms of my dear Savior
Oh, there are ten thousand charms

I will arise and go to Jesus
He will embrace me in His arms
In the arms of my dear Savior
Oh, there are ten thousand charms

I will arise and go to Jesus
He will embrace me in His arms
In the arms of my dear Savior
Oh, there are ten thousand charms
Oh, there are ten thousand charms
Oh, there are ten thousand charms

if the parable about the talents was really about talents...and wasn't a parable...

Haven't blogged in a while. Sorry! Life has been busy. As always I guess. I've been somewhat intimidated by blogging recently. Its has become more and more obvious that I will never be as good of a blogger as some...but I am the only me there is...and maybe I have something to give to this blogging community. Maybe...

I have been struggling as I've mentioned for a while that I should just throw in the towel on several of my hobbies because I am 'inferior' to others and their abilities. But then I stopped to think about it and realized there will always be an expert in some area that is better than you (me). And just because I'm not good at it I shouldn't give up what I enjoy...maybe if I repeat this to myself a few million more times I will really REALLY believe it.

So I guess all of this is to say that I will blog when I have time and yes, it may suck...alot- but its mine. Same with photography, and music, and ...everything! I don't want to sound like the whining, poor, pitiful "oh I'm so sad because I have no talents" girl...because I do have some talents-just like everybody does. I do still long for something of my own. Something that I am the "expert" or the "best" in my group of friends...but I may need to realize that that is never going to happen. And I need to be ok with it.

As much as I would love to be this awesome photographer, or party planner, or stylish person(which really is a talent!), or etc---I'm not sure that it really matters in the grand scheme of things that I don't rock at something and I'm pretty sure it doesn't matter to God- as long as I do the best with what I've been given...which seems to be a little bit of talent in a few areas and some crazy family stories.

We'll see where it goes and what He does with it.

Awake @ 3:30...Yuck!

I think that pretty much sums it up. I cannot believe i'm awake. I know this will be bad news bears tomorrow as I'm sitting through almost 6 AND A HALF HOURS OF CLASS! :-( Alas there is nothing i can do about that right now. I keep saying to myself i could be doing something productive but what? I could go utilize the gym that I'm being forced to be a member of until the end of the month [Long story] or maybe just do some exercises here. Both of which would require me getting out from under my quilt that i'm snuggled up with which would be lame. This is the second night this week that this has happened. Maybe God has started waking me up so we can talk. I do love spending time with Him and I am glad in a way that He is waking me up to spend time with Him...i just wish that was during regular hours. :-)

Life as of current:

*I have almost finished book one of ten! One of the things I had on my list was to read 10 books. I'm beginning to think that I might add in text books and make them count too!

*Semester is crazy, but I have only skipped a few classes and all of them for very good reasons...like turning in my upper division form and collecting the 2.7 billion signatures that were required on my upper division form before turning it in.

*Still waiting to hear back from the department to see if I have been accepted into the program...speaking of which...I need to check my email...

*At work. =)

*Bought an exercise ball...it turns out it is a good foot rest while watching TV

*Also bought my bridesmaid's dress for C's wedding. Hoping that by the time her wedding gets here I will have lost weight and will need to get the dress altered. =D

...think that may pretty much sum it up for right now. Happy Wednesday!

The reason why I was the Newsboys for a few days...

As many of you know, I wake up as different people everyday. Not literally (no mental illnesses here...that I know of...) But if I have a song stuck in my head or a lyric really strikes me, I'll be that band for a day (or two depending on how awesome they are). I woke up Monday as the Newsboys- not the 'new' Newsboys with Michael Tait but the real ones- the old ones. The reason I was them was because of a song off of the Love, Liberty, Disco album. The best song in my opinion from the album, and the one that led me to be them, was Beautiful Sound. I feel like it is my story. That may sound lame or cheesy but it is true. Here are the lyrics. Enjoy!

Beautiful Sound - The Newsboys

Turn the page.
Can't turn the light out.
Every word, every line
Carries to my soul.
Dark letters on a page
Singing so loud.
Where did I go wrong
Not to hear You?

Eighteen years,
I guess it was all right.
I let You do the thinking,
I'd just bide my time.
Father to son
Sunday hand-me-down.
Where did I go wrong
Not to hear Your song?

It's a beautiful sound
Moving through the crowd.
Voices lifted up
On high for You.

It's a beautiful song.
We've only just begun to understand.
Rediscovering You.

To have found You, and still be looking for You,
It's "the soul's paradox of love."
You fill my cup, I lift it up for more.
I won't stop now that I'm free.
I'll be chasing You
Like You chase me.

It's a beautiful sound
Moving through the crowd.
Voices lifted up
On high for You.

It's a beautiful song.
We've only just begun to understand.
Rediscovering You.

Oh, something so beautiful.

It's a beautiful sound
Moving through the crowd.
Voices lifted up
On high for You.

It's a beautiful song.
We've only just begun to understand.
Rediscovering You.

It's a beautiful sound
Moving through the crowd.
Voices lifted up
On high for You.

It's a beautiful song.
We've only just begun to understand.
Rediscovering You.

It's a beautiful sound
Moving through the crowd.
Voices lifted up
On high for You.

It's a beautiful song.
We've only just begun to understand.
Rediscovering You.

Something tells me it's all right.
You know it's gonna be all right.

101 in 1001 Change

I’ve been considering this change for a while now and I’ve decided to make it official! I am moving #63 (visit Auschwitz) to my bucket list from my 101. I think this is one of the most logical and realistic one change. I’ll be replacing it with honoring a solider in some way. I know this sounds strange and very non-descript but I recently saw a movie- ‘Taking Chance’- that has made me realize that I under appreciate everything they do for us. I’m thinking it could be something like a care package or donating to some organization (still need to do some research on that one). Anyway, just wanted you to be aware of the change. Have a great day!

My Saturday Adventure with Joy!

Joy and I went to the Flea Market and it was AWESOME! It was a beautiful day to be wondering around outside! We were looking for the awesome record guy (who was no where to be found- sad day!) and the guy who sells all these amazing glass bottles...



...at least we found him! Here are some other amazing things we found and just some other random shots...Enjoy!

Social Policy makes me think...

My mom has always been somewhat concerned/creeped out with my fascination with the Holocaust. Actually it's not just her, several people have told me that. It is not that I have a fascination with death. I really don't. But I do believe that we have to learn from the mistakes of the past in order to avoid them in the future.

I am also amazed by the strength and courage of those who fought back. Those who decided to cheat the system, those who did not have concern for their own safety but were concerned with what the future held for Jews across Europe under the Third Reich.

Some fought back by simply surviving. Others gave out passports to Jews so they could leave (read blog about this here). Others found ways of smuggling food into the ghetto. And others found ways of smuggling children out of the ghetto.

I recently learned about Irena Sendler. She fought back. She volunteered to work in the Warsaw ghetto as a plumbing specialist, not exactly a luxurious job. But she wasn't there just to work on plumbing and sewers, she had other plans.

She smuggled infants out of the ghetto in the bottom of the tool box she carried and had a burlap bag in the back of her truck in order to smuggle out larger children. She also had a dog that she trained to bark at the Nazis. They were afraid of the dog and would stay away from it, and therefore would stay away from her. The dog's barking would also cover up any noises that the baby would be making. During her time of smuggling out children- she saved 2500 lives. She kept a jar of the names of the children she had smuggled out and buried it in her backyard.

She was eventually caught and was severally beaten by the Nazis.

She was recognized as being Righteous Among the Nations- an award given by the state of Israel to non-Jews who saved Jews from the Holocaust.



She passed away at the age of 98 in Warsaw in 2008.

I know that sometimes the question gets brought up of "Would you do the same in that situation?". My answer is usually "I would hope so." But I'm beginning to think that maybe a better answer would be that I pray that we are not faced with that situation. But the situation is already there. There are genocides and injustices all around the world. What are we doing? What can we do?

It doesn't have to be something as radical as what Irena did.

We just need to do something.

I need to do something.

My social policy class has got me thinking about what we can do. It is true that it is nearly impossible to change things instantly, or even somewhat quickly. But we can do little things. Volunteer around town. Participate in Operation Beautiful. Donate money or things. It can be something as simple as being kind to someone who you don't feel deserves that. Maybe even just being aware of what is going on around the globe and praying.

This 'sermon' is not directed at anyone more than it is at me. I'm embarrassed by how little I've done. But as Robert Allen Zimmerman (Bob Dylan) once said "The times they are a changin'" and with God's help, so am I.

I will do something.

Another blog about the Holy Spirit

While Joy and I were talking and taking a drive around town last night, we started to discuss the Holy Spirit. I personally think it would be awesome if He had this tiny little apartment right beside my heart, where He just chills and maybe watches movies. Maybe He has a subscription to Netflix. Who knows?!

I think my reasoning comes from the fact that when I was younger, my father told me that inside of EVERYTHING was a tiny little man, sometimes a tiny little family or community, and they had their own little word inside of every object, especially tables. I've attempted to draw a picture of what I see in my mind, here it is. (Don't be jealous of my artistic skillz! (used the 'z' on purpose))



Here is a view from above...



I know it's not true but it could be awesome if it was! For some reason the most vivid picture in my mind from Table-World is one that seems to be inside a tiny little Table-World pub...



Anyway, Happy Friday Everyone!

=0)

Hello Dears!

I've missed you! So here's what has been going on with me...
-school started back!
-I've got one SERIOUSLY INSANE PROFESSOR!
-The rest of my professors seem okay.
-work has been CRAZY BUSY! finally starting to settle down again!
-I'm beginning to embrace that I'm not as good at things as other people...like blogging consistently...still working on it...
-Walked the MOST MOVING AND AMAZING MOVIE. It's based on a true story- "Taking Chance" (read the article here)

...well that is about it for right now. I'm sorry that I'm ridiculously inconsistent with my blogging. Have a great weekend!

=0p

[being lame-no good ideas for a title]

I haven't blogged much recently because I feel like I have nothing profound to say. I do have a few blogs that are waiting to be posted and should be within the next few days. But other than that life has been pretty much normal other than a few failures I'm not so proud of. Nothing too earth shattering as far as failures go- just minor ones I guess. Others might even argue that they are non-existent failures. Maybe the major issue is that I'm learning to tell the difference between truth and lies.

Its little things here and there that have been giving me this feeling of inadequacy or failure. The major one pressing on me right now is that I'm not a good enough friend. Or a good enough small group leader. Or a good enough daughter, sister, etc. I know that's not true. But I feel like I haven't done a good enough job of showing these people that I really do care. If you are reading this and know me personally, I hope you don't feel like I've failed you. I know I feel like I have.

Other things that have been a struggle recently is that I don't have one thing that I'm extremely good at. I'm good at a lot of things (you may think that sounds prideful but please continue reading). But I don't feel like I'm GREAT at any one thing. I'm having to remind myself that none of that really matters. It doesn't define me. None of this or that or anything does- except for Jesus.

Sometimes its hard to discern between truth and lies when both are being hurled at you. I am learning to find God's voice and truth in the chaos and cling to what and who He says I am. And I am equally trying to silence Satan and identify his lies and tell him to shut up!

Anyway blog readers, I will try to be more consistent with blogging but it is busy season at work and life in general has been boring but busy, so I can't make any promises I will be blogging more frequently but I will try! Happy Friday all!

Let's See How Far We've Come...

Anybody want to guess who I am today?

Hope.

My dear friend Kimberly wears the same bracelet everyday and has for a few months now. Its a plane metal band that is open in the back so she can take it on and off. Engraved on it is a name, rank and a year.

Kim isn't usually the type to wear jewelry, much less the exact same piece of jewelry everyday, so I asked her about it. She began telling me a story about her Uncle Jimmy. Jimmy was MIA during the Vietnam war and was later found out to be a POW. Jimmy had been MIA and a POW for over 9 months. Kimberly's Mom and a few others had bracelets made with Jimmy's name, rank, and the date he went missing. They decided to wear them until Jimmy's body was recovered or he came home.

It was Thanksgiving night and everyone had already eaten and was putting the food away, when they heard the front door open. It was Jimmy. Giving no immediate explanation of how he had gotten there or what had happened, he instead just asked where the food was.

After things had settled down a little, everyone who had a bracelet honoring Jimmy gave them to him. They were in his possession until he died.

Everyone who had worn those bracelets had worried and prayed and hoped that Jimmy would come home. And he did.

Kimberly's bracelet, however, does not have Jimmy's name on it. Hers has the name of a family friend. The year that's on it? 1969. Someone in her family has worn it and has worried and prayed and hoped that he would come home.

He may, but he probably never will. But they have hope and still pray for his family.

Hope is a funny thing. Sometimes we reject hope because it seems completely pointless. At other times we cling to hope because its all we have to cling to. Maybe we're too willing to give up our hope. Maybe we should keeping holding to it, clinging to it, fighting for it. Even after days or weeks or months or years. Its worth fighting for.

Faith not Feelings, Feelings aren't a Fruit

Hello blog readers! Sorry for abandoning the blog for a little while. I've had a lot of big ideas for posts, but very few words to describe everything. Even though I've waited to write, this could still be a little wordy and bumpy. Also life is getting crazier and busy as fall and school approach- I will work on being consistent though.

God has been moving and speaking a lot recently. Not that He ever really speaks at one time more than the other I guess, I think there are just seasons that we are more open and willing to listen than others.

One of the things that has been a painful and confusing lesson thus far is that my feelings aren't always trustworthy. I can't base how I am doing on my walk with God on my feelings. Not every moment is a "I just got home from church camp and I'm on this church camp/God high and I feel super close to Him right now". I do enjoy those times, but life isn't like church camp. Its messy and you've got work and school and relatives and friends and you're constantly in juggle mode.

I was talking to God about this as I was walking in to a small group study Sunday night and was in general just telling Him how I'm not sure that I'm a fan of this feelings being crazy at times or not matching up with the truth. The truth being that I'm growing in my walk and I am getting closer to God than I have been in a long time. As I'm telling Him this, I heard back "Feelings aren't a fruit". Fruit of the Spirit that is. Wow! He's right...obviously!

My feelings and my emotions are almost always out of whack and CRAZY. I can't let my little crazy emotions dictate my walk with God. If I do it would be a disaster. Actually, I have for a long time- and it has been a disaster.

God is moving and working in me and in His people. I'm excited to see what He's got in store for us. And no matter what it is, I'll try not to put my emotions and feelings in the driver's seat.

Happy Friday!

As per usual, I will not be blogging over the weekend- so I bid you farewell until Monday- Hope its a great weekend for you blog readers. Be safe and party like its...well...2010...because it is 2010. =)

Windows in the Sky [aka the only reason why I am sometimes U2]

Great song- great lyrics- great video- Enjoy!

I think I'm funny...

I was just sitting at my desk/counter-thing at work and was thinking that I really appreciate the fact that I'm funny [I don't mean for that to sound conceited if it does]. I mean, somebody's got to make me laugh...might as well be me sometimes! Sometimes everyone will just be sitting quietly and I'll start laughing, which makes everyone think I'm crazy, but I don't mind too much. Here's what I mean...

I was looking at this picture I took at Mike's and started thinking...

"I wish you would step back from that ledge, my friend
You could cut ties with all the lies, that you've been living in
And if you do not want to see me again- I would understand..."

=)

Wordless Wednesday

The Helper

I'm currently in a study about the holy spirit by Catherine Marshall called "The Helper". I've only read the first six chapters, but thus far its been really insightful and has reminded me of things I once knew but had forgotten. After reading my first six chapters, [by the way, definitely read the first six chapters within hours of having to be at the study- can we say procrastinator?] I went and grabbed another book I have on the Holy Spirit to do some additional reading/studying just for me. Between the two books I read a couple of things that read struck a chord with me and I wanted to share.

Both books allude to the fact that sometimes we as Christians wish we could see Jesus face to face, or to have lived in a time where it was possible to see, talk to, hug, hang out with Him. But really, if we had of lived in that time, or even if Jesus was here in person today because of the constraints of time and space-he could only be at one place at one time. So even though that would have been AWESOME and I am very much looking forward to seeing Him face to face one day, we really do benefit from having the Holy Spirit. I was joking with my close friend Maria that if we were the last two in line to see and hang out with Jesus, but only one of us got to go- I would elbow her in the throat!...ok, not really. But if Jesus were here in person we would [at least I think we would...] probably fight each other just to get to him. I know that sounds crazy- fighting for Jesus- but we're selfish people I wouldn't put it past us. That is a HUGE benefit of Jesus leaving and sending the Holy Spirit to us. We all get to have Him with us all the time.

And that leads to my next point--- "Him". I think due to my background and being raised in one particular denomination...or maybe it was due to the church I was raised in as a child [most likely]- I don't have a tendency to think of the Holy Spirit as a 'Him', but rather a 'It'. Maybe its because of the wording. 'Spirit' or 'ghost' seems more like an it that a him to me. I know in my head that he's a him, but sometimes I slip into the habit of thinking of him as an it [goodness what a sentence!]. I think thinking of Him as a Him makes the Holy Spirit more real to us.

I'll continue to update you as I can about what I'm learning and what God is saying and teaching me through this study. I can really feel Him working in my heart and in the group. I'm excited to see what happens!

Hello Childhood

Maria and I went out to Miller's, which when I was a child and we would drive up and visit my Uncle-was still a grocery store- but is now a restaurant. Some great conversation and crazy followed dinner. I made sure to document the occasion! =)

We took a little walk outside while waiting for a table...


Finally got a table! Score!


Maria's hiding!


There used to be lots of stuffed animals hanging on this wall. I must admit that I don't miss them at all!


Weird lamp...

Nice sign-age


Salt, Pepper, Maria


Tasty!...well, they looked tasty.


Over all, it was a decent night. Maria listened to all of my "this used to be like..." or "this used to look like..." stories and didn't complain at all. And I got to relive some of my memories of Dad taking me to Miller's to buy me ice cream. I am so thankful for memories- old ones and new!

Question

Okay blog readers, I've got a question for you. What is [are] your favorite[s] fictional book[s]? I've been looking for some variety in my reading and the authors I read. Opinions? Suggestions? Thanks!

Ew vs. Progress

So for the past couple of years I've made [somewhat] of an effort to lose weight. I was at my heaviest in Fall/Winter 2008. I finally got brave last night and opened the photo files on my computer from 2008...Wow! I created a new file folder in under "My Pictures" and titled it 'Ew'. The file contained a picture of me with Sean in September-ish of 2008 and a picture of me from this weekend, about a 40 pound difference in the two photos. Now, I admit that 40 pounds in [almost] 2 years is not by any means amazing. A more appropriate word would probably be decent, if that.

Anyway, I titled the file "Ew". And I brought my laptop to work today to show a co-worker. And the more I thought about it, "Ew" was not an acceptable title. Would I rather have lost 100+ pounds in that time? Yeah! [108 to be exact from my heaviest to what I think could be my ideal weight-these charts all vary so much- so I'm down to still wanting to lose 68] But, its 40-ish pounds that I could still be carrying around.

So I re-titled the file from "Ew" to "Progress". In one of my favorite movies, Elizabethtown, Susan Sarandon's character says "All forward motion counts". And maybe she's right. I'm still quite a ways away from my goal, but I'm getting there. Please pray for me for endurance and strength to get there. Its going to be a slow process, but maybe by next September I'll be adding one more picture to the "Progress" file- my "I've finally done it!" photo!

Christmas Time is Here!

Happy Christmas in July!

Hosea

"Hosea 1:2 When the LORD first spoke to Hosea, He said this to him:
Go and marry a promiscuous wife
and [have] children of promiscuity,
for the whole land has been promiscuous
by abandoning the LORD.
3 So he went and married Gomer daughter of Diblaim..."

I admit that I 'pretend' to be an avid reader of serious books. If its anything written by Lewis Grizzard, I'm up for it. Shakespear? Not really. Although I do make it a point to read Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" every December. Its a tradition that I've kept for 5 years now.

Anyway, I've had several people over the past year suggest that I read "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers. I've had a copy sitting in the apartment for probably a year before going on a beach trip where Rochelle was reading it. 4 of the 6 girls there had read it and highly suggested I read it too. Rochelle actually set her copy on my bed and told me to read it. I obeyed. The first night I had it I stayed up until almost 4 a.m. reading.

I won't ruin the book if you haven't read it, but it is pretty much the book of Hosea from the Bible set in the 1840/1850's in the American west. As I read it I so upset with Angel (Gomer for those who have read Hosea)! I spent 3/4th of the book being annoyed by this girl! Why couldn't she get it together? Its SO OBVIOUS that Michael (Hosea) loves her like crazy! He's kind, patient, loving, and gentle and strong all at the same time. At first she just runs from Him and the life he is offering her. Then she's convinced she doesn't deserve what he is offering and that he deserves something better than her, and leaves again.

I know you may know this in your head-my head, but really think about it. That is absolutely in every capacity us! I know the verses say "...just as" or "for the whole land has abandoned the Lord", but its so much easier to look at someone else and say "Look at what an idiot she's being! I can't believe she's turning her back on the best thing that has ever happened to her!" But thats us---thats me. God loves us, more than anyone ever could. He pursues us. He forgives us. He takes us back hundreds of thousands of times.

And we run. For several different reasons really. Anger, fear of God hurting us, not feeling worthy, not liking what He's saying, etc. Its totally ridiculous for us to run, but we do it anyway.

I've recently fallen back in love with David Crowder Band. And I've fallen even more in love with the song "How He Loves". This is one of the line that gets me - "He is jealous for me/loves like a hurricane and I am a tree/bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy". He really is jealous for us.

Here's another verse from Hosea that shows this:
Hosea 2:13 And I will punish her for the days of the Baals
when she burned incense to them,
put on her rings and jewelry,
and went after her lovers,
but forgot Me.
[This is] the LORD's declaration

"...but forgot Me." That's not just a jealous statement, its a sad one too. He loves us so much. He wants to be near us. To talk to us. To talk to me. If only I could forget my childish fears of God striking me down for one wrong move and really take to heart how gracious and just He is. Or if only I could remember that there is NOTHING we can do to separate us from His love. I want to know God more. I want to know His character more and have that love and grace with those around me.

Joy introduced me to Addison Road, and I think they might have said it best "There's a better version of me That I can't quite see But things are gonna change..."

...Things are changing already...

The Alphabet in Real Life

A is for...well...A! (known by others as Andrea) She's artsy and crazy and fun. She also has a great fashion sense!


B is for Ben. I love him even though he's weird.


C is for C! (known by others as Crystal) She has a way at looking at the bright side of things, which I really admire about her. She also has super pretty eyes! ...and loves monkeys.


D is for my new friend Destyni! She's a little crazy!


E is for ELIZABETHTOWN! One of my favorite movies and it has a great soundtrack! Here is a picture of me doing a dance similar to one done in the movie by Orlando Bloom!


F is for family.


G is for the Gathering. =) I love my smallgroup there. Here is a picture of some of us from last summer.


H is for hiding...behind a tomato.


I is for interesting. I am very interesting and fun I think. Here's an example...


J is for Joy. My sister and best friend. She's the best!


K is for Kimberly (aka Kimby). She's one of my closest friends and I'm thankful to have her in my life! This is her Beatles rockband outfit and crazy intense we're-going-to-beat-the-game face!


L is for lovely hats!


M is for Myrtle Beach! We went there with a bunch of friends this summer. This is some of the group playing are you smarter than a 5th grader on the wii. I'm guessing by the looks on everyone's faces that the 5th graders have got them stumped.

M is also for Mom...


N is for neat! I craft and make neat things!


O is for Oma! My aunt who isn't really my aunt. She's awesome!


P is for photography. I really enjoy it and would like to continue to practice and get better at it!

P is also for penguin...


Q is for quite disappointed. Which I am every year when it doesn't snow.


R is for roommates!...even if I never actually lived there or paid rent. I love these ladies! Thanks Joy for the picture!


S is for Sean. I kinda like him a little...ok, ok...I love him A lot!


T is for totally random! This is a series of photos to prove my point...



...see what I mean?

U is for U! The readers! Thanks for reading my blog! (also I couldn't think of a 'u')

V is for volleyball! The college kids at church are crazy about volleyball. I have picture of them playing in a tournament a few weeks ago, but I like this one better. It is a small group of us playing volleyball...this past DECEMBER! These kids are intense!


W is for The Who! And the Who's lead singer is Roger Daltrey. I saw him in concert in February. It was awesome!


X is for the x-ray technician's dilemma. (aka I don't have anything for x...sorry!)

Y is for yada yada yada. Sitting around and talking is the best!...or standing around is a huge group and listening to someone talk will work too. =)


Z is for zzzzz. My uncle Lonnie asleep on the bar. Classic!

Fried Green Tomatoes (not the movie)

Last night I attempted to make fried green tomatoes...and it wasn't a complete and total fail! They were actually quite delicious! Here are a few pictures of the adventure.

The most important part...


Ingredients...


Mmmm...tomato...


Finished!


Amazing!